The Supreme Court on Monday postponed the hearing on the contempt petition filed by the Odisha Government against Andhra Pradesh in connection with the row over the Kotia border in Koraput district.

The apex court cited that discussion is ongoing between the committees formed to resolve dispute and said the hearing of the contempt petition would be held after four weeks.

Earlier, the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition, had turned down the Andhra Pradesh Government’s request to dispose of the contempt of court proceedings against it for violation of status quo agreed upon by the two States more than 50 years ago.

The apex court had said the contempt of court proceedings would remain pending until no amicable solution is reached between both the States. The court had advised to resolve the issue at political levels through discussions.  

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his AP counterpart YS Jagan Mohan had a meeting in Bhubaneswar on November 9. Later, both the Governments had issued a joint statement over formation of a high-level committee comprising the Chief Secretaries of both the States.

As per the decision, the Odisha government on November 24 formed an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary to discuss with the officials nominated by Andhra Pradesh to find ways to end all outstanding border disputes, including the disputed Kotia villages.  

Notably, the Odisha Government has moved the Supreme Court, seeking contempt of court proceedings against Andhra Pradesh Government over the Kotia border issue on February 10.