Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed Satrughana Pujahari, a former judge of the Orissa High Court, as the Chairperson of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC).

According to a notification issued by the Law Department today, the appointment will come into effect from the date he assumes charge of office.

Justice Pujahari began his judicial career as the Second Additional District and Sessions Judge in Ganjam at Berhampur in February 2003. Over the years, he served in several key positions, including District and Sessions Judge in Koraput (Jeypore), Ganjam (Berhampur), Puri, and Cuttack. He also held roles such as Chairman of the Sales Tax Tribunal, Odisha; Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority, Cuttack; and Principal Secretary of the Law Department.

He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Orissa High Court in November 2013 and became a Permanent Judge in October 2014.

In November 2017, Justice Pujahari was transferred to the Madras High Court. He was later repatriated to the Orissa High Court, where he rejoined as a judge on November 19, 2018.