The Court of the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Dhenkanal, has declared election of Kailash Chandra Dehury, , Sarpanch of Gengutia Gram Panchayat under Sadar block, as void. The 62-year-old has been disqualified under Section 11 (B) of the Orissa Gram Panchayats Act, 1964, for not being able to read and write Odia.
The court passed the order on February 28 while hearing a petition filed by Purusottam Dehury who was defeated by Kailash Chandra Dehury in the Panchayat election held in 2022.
In his petition, Purushottam alleged that though Kailash was purely illiterate and unable to read and write, he has sworn false affidavit regarding his list of properties, bank accounts, educational qualification and other points as laid down in the Election Manual.
Civil Judge (Junior Division) Sudhi Ranjan Dash also ordered the creation of a casual vacancy and the conduct of a fresh election for the post of Sarpanch while hearing a petition filed by Purusottam Dehury, whom Kailash defeated in 2022 Panchayat election.
Besides alleging that Kailash was illiterate, Purushottam claimed that he had submitted a false affidavit regarding his list of properties, bank accounts, educational qualification and other points laid down in the Election Manual.
Kailash, however, said that he can read and write Odia and would move a higher court against the order.
