Pitambar Acharya Appointed as New Advocate General of Odisha

Senior advocate Pitambar Acharya, known for his role in reopening the Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar, has been appointed as the Advocate General of Odisha. Acharya has an extensive background in law, politics, and journalism. He contested against Naveen Patnaik in the 2019 assembly elections and has been active since his college days.

Senior advocate Pitambar Acharya, who fought the case for the reopening of the Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar, has been appointed as the new advocate general of Odisha, effective immediately.

Acharya, aged 59, unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly elections as a BJP candidate against then-chief minister Naveen Patnaik in the Hinjili seat.

The Governor of Odisha announced the appointment in a notification, citing Clause (1) of Article 165 of the Indian Constitution.

Acharya represented former BJP state president Samir Mohanty in a petition to reopen the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath temple in Puri.

He has a background in journalism, having worked for an English daily, and he started his political journey in college with the Congress-affiliated NSUI.

He has held prominent positions in student unions and joined the Orissa High Court Bar Association in 1991, serving as an assistant to former advocate general Gangadhar Rath.