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The Orissa High Court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Aravind Agrawal, the Higher Education Secretary, citing contempt of court for failing to comply with a previous judicial directive.

Agrawal, a 2007-batch IAS officer, did not follow an earlier court order linked to a case filed by Tapan Kumar Pattanaik, a retired employee of the Higher Education Department, who had been denied an increment. The matter traces back to a July 30, 2025, ruling directing the government to decide on Pattanaik’s representation within eight weeks.

During a hearing on December 12, 2025, the Additional Government Advocate (AGA) assured the court that compliance would be reported at the next session. However, as of January 16, 2026, no action had been reported, prompting the judge to describe the delay as a “breach of undertaking” and an “aggravated contempt.”

The court’s order emphasised the urgency of compliance, noting that the decision must take into account prior directions from the Supreme Court. It instructed that if a proper representation is submitted, it should be decided within eight weeks, keeping all contentions open.

In view of the non-compliance, the court directed that Agrawal be arrested to ensure his appearance before the bench on January 22, 2026. The order stated, “Despite the threat contained in the last part of the order dated 16.12.2025, there is no compliance. The contemnors appear to be buffalo-skinned, to say the least. Issue a warrant of arrest and produce the contemnors before this Court. However, if the order is complied with in the meanwhile, no coercive action shall be taken.”

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The case highlights the judiciary’s strict stance on adherence to its directives and serves as a reminder of the legal accountability of public officials, especially in matters affecting employees’ rights and entitlements.