Bhubaneswar, July 17 -- Drawing a distinction between an invalid academic qualification and a fake or forged degree, the Orissa High Court has restored the post of an Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) officer, holding that an employee cannot be demoted after serving for over 15 years unless the State proves he lacked the prescribed qualification at the time of appointment.

A Division Bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Chittaranjan Dash quashed the December 24, 2020 order reverting Pravat Kumar Mishra from Assistant Director (MIS) to Programmer-cum-Training Officer, directing his reinstatement with all consequential service and financial benefits.

The Bench also imposed Rs 1 lakh as exemplary costs on the State,...