The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Andhra Pradesh Government to file a response to a contempt petition filed by the Odisha Government alleging that the former is holding gram panchayat elections in Kotia of Koraput district by violating the earlier orders of the apex court. “We are not passing any order right now. First you go through this application and file your response,” said a Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar to advocate Mahfooz A Nazki, who appeared on behalf of Andhra Pradesh.
Further hearing of the matter was scheduled to next Friday (February 19). Besides, the court directed the Odisha Government to serve an advanced copy of the petition to Standing Counsel of Andhra Pradesh. However, the court passed no order on schedule of panchayat polls to be held in Kotia on February 13 and 17.