Odisha Files Supreme Court Contempt Petition Against Andhra Pradesh Over Kotia Polls

NEW DELHI: The Odisha government has filed a contempt of court petition against the Andhra Pradesh government in the Supreme Court. The legal move challenges a notification issued by Andhra Pradesh to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region, located in Odisha's Koraput district.

Suresh Pujari, Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, stated that the petition was filed through the district collector of Koraput. The action follows an October 10 notification by Andhra Pradesh to hold Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections within the Kotia cluster of villages.

"We have filed the contempt petition in the apex court after getting approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi," Pujari told reporters. He added that a 2006 Supreme Court order requires both states to maintain a status quo in the area.

While all 28 villages under the Kotia Gram Panchayat remain within Odisha's territory, Andhra Pradesh claims rights over 21 of them. Odisha originally challenged these claims in the Supreme Court in 1968, leading to the 2006 directive to maintain status quo.

According to the Odisha government, the recent election notification violates this judicial directive. Contempt proceedings have been initiated against the Andhra Pradesh government, naming the State election commissioner, chief secretary, the concerned district collector, and other election management officers as parties to the matter.

"We will also pray to the Supreme Court to direct the Andhra Pradesh government to refrain from such illegal activities in the future," Pujari said.

This development mirrors previous tensions between the two states. In 2021, Andhra Pradesh held panchayat polls in the same disputed region, which led Odisha to file a prior contempt petition in 2022.

The administration in Andhra Pradesh has recently notified local body polls in specific disputed villages, including Phagunasineri, Ganjeipadar, and Phatusineri, according to an official. The Odisha government maintains that Kotia is an integral part of its territory and continues to pursue legal and administrative steps to uphold its jurisdictional rights.

"Interstate jurisdictional disputes and administrative overlaps present significant governance and compliance challenges, particularly when judicial orders like a mandated status quo are involved. For businesses and local authorities operating in such contested regions, regulatory clarity and adherence to legal frameworks are vital to maintaining operational stability. Resolving such boundary disputes through proper legal channels ensures long-term predictability for regional development and governance." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes