Suo Motu Disability Poverty Odisha: Supreme Court Intervenes for Blind Man and Elderly Mother
On June 16, 2026, a Supreme Court bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana took suo motu cognisance of the extreme poverty of Japa Bhue, a man blind since birth, and his 80-year-old mother Radhika Bhue, residents of Bagadia village, Subarnapur district, Odisha.
The Court issued notice to the Odisha government and passed a series of urgent directions, according to LiveLaw, registering the matter under the suo motu case titled In Re: Ensuring Basic Human Dignity And Social Security For Differently Abled Citizens Living In Extreme Poverty And Other Ancillary Issues.
Background: How We Got Here
The suo motu case was registered by the Supreme Court on June 15, 2026 — the day before the hearing — based on media reports highlighting the desperate living conditions of the Bhue family, as reported by India Legal Live.
Japa Bhue has been blind since birth and is entirely dependent on his elderly mother for his daily needs. According to Verdictum, the family’s financial condition worsened significantly following the death of the father.
- Japa Bhue and Radhika Bhue reside in Bagadia village, Subarnapur district, Odisha, and were living in extreme poverty when media reports surfaced about their condition.
- The Odisha government told the court that a dwelling unit had been allotted to Radhika Bhue under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with separate units assigned to Japa Bhue’s two brothers, per IANS.
- The state also submitted that Radhika Bhue receives Rs 3,500 per month as old-age pension, and Japa Bhue receives an equal amount as disability pension, along with free rice under a government welfare scheme, as reported by ProKerala.
Despite these stated measures, the bench expressed concern about whether the benefits were actually translating into a dignified life on the ground for the family.
The Ruling — Key Findings
The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana passed a comprehensive set of directions on June 16, 2026, according to LiveLaw and the Orissa Post.
CJI Surya Kant pointedly asked the state: “We are concerned with whether a life with dignity can be granted to Radhika Bhue and his visually impaired son.”
The Court also directed: “The State of Odisha and its authorities are directed to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to them till further orders.”
The bench further questioned “what are the other benefits under the social welfare schemes to which Japa Bhue is entitled, and whether such benefits have also been granted to him or not,” per the Supreme Court’s order.
The Court directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit through an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, disclosing whether all pension arrears and social security benefits have been fully released, according to LiveLaw and India Legal Live.
Aurbindo Pattanaik, Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA), attended via video conferencing. Per ProKerala, the Court ordered him to immediately visit the family in person and assess their actual condition on the ground.
The Court noted that Japa Bhue appeared, prima facie, entitled to a separate dwelling unit and directed the OSLSA to examine his eligibility, as reported by ProKerala and Pragativadi.
In a particularly significant direction, the Court ordered that Japa Bhue be engaged as a para-legal volunteer, to be paid an uninterrupted honorarium of not less than minimum wages prescribed under law. The role would involve creating awareness among differently-abled persons about their legal rights, per the Orissa Post.
For any immediate medical needs, the District Legal Services Authority of the concerned district was directed to coordinate with the Chief Medical Officer to make necessary arrangements, according to ProKerala.
The bench’s overarching concern, as reflected in its order, was ensuring “the sustenance and dignified life for Japa Bhue, who has been blind since birth, and his 80-year-old mother, Smt. Radhika Bhue.”
Reactions & What’s Next
The Odisha government placed on record the existing welfare measures availed by the family, including pension payments and the PMAY allotment, but the bench made clear that paper entitlements must translate into ground-level dignity.
The matter has been posted for further consideration on July 13, 2026, according to ProKerala, by which date the state’s affidavit and the OSLSA’s ground report are expected to be before the bench.
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Who are Japa Bhue and Radhika Bhue?
Japa Bhue is a visually impaired man who has been blind since birth, residing in Bagadia village, Subarnapur district, Odisha. He is entirely dependent on his 80-year-old mother, Radhika Bhue, for his daily needs. The family came to the Supreme Court’s attention through media reports on their extreme poverty.
What directions did the Supreme Court issue to the Odisha government?
The Court directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit through an officer of at least Additional Chief Secretary rank on pension arrears and welfare benefits. It also ordered the OSLSA to immediately visit the family, directed that Japa Bhue be engaged as a para-legal volunteer at minimum-wage honorarium, and instructed all basic amenities be ensured until further orders.
What is the next date of hearing in this suo motu case?
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for next hearing on July 13, 2026, according to ProKerala.
What pension amounts does the family currently receive?
As per the Odisha government’s submission to the court, Radhika Bhue receives Rs 3,500 per month as old-age pension and Japa Bhue receives Rs 3,500 per month as disability pension, along with free rice under a government welfare scheme.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change or vary by case — consult a qualified lawyer before acting. The Courtroom is not liable for any reliance on this content.
