Odisha Moves SC seeking Contempt of Court action against Andhra Pradesh for Violation of 1968 Status Quo Related to Kotia Border Dispute.

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha’s inter-State border dispute over Kotia panchayat has once again reached the Apex Court of India, wherein the Odisha government is asking for initiation of contempt of court proceedings against Andhra Pradesh for violation of status quo agreed upon by the two States more than 50 years ago.

Both the States have been claiming their rights over the Kotia panchayat which comprises 28 villages. This petition is filed considering the upcoming Panchayat polls in  AP with the State Election Commission proposing to hold the polls in three contested villages on February 13 and 17.

Both the States have been claiming their rights over the Kotia panchayat which comprises 28 villages. In the notification for the polls, AP has included Talaganjeipadar, Phatuseneri and Phagunaseneri villages under its Salur block.

The move to hold elections in this area will amount to contempt of court as it violates the status quo undertaking given to the Court: Odisha government

Odisha government in its plea has stated that the SC, in the year 1968, directed for maintenance of status quo in the disputed area. In its final hearing in 2006, SC had recorded the status quo undertaking given by both States while disposing of the suit.

The present petition filed through Sibo Sankar Mishra, who submitted before the court that the move to hold elections in this area will amount to contempt of court as it violates the status quo undertaking given to the Court.

Also, the villages have been under the control of the local administration of Odisha and that Odisha government has undertaken several infrastructural initiatives in those villages including building road, bridges, schools, etc.

On Tuesday, this matter was mentioned by Senior Counsel Vikas Singh representing state of Odisha, seeking urgent listing. The Court agreed to the same and said that the matter will next be heard on Friday.