Unable to Read & Write Odia, Elected Sarpanch Loses Post in Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: The inability to read and write Odia proved costly for an elected sarpanch in the Dhenkanal district. This 62-year-old sarpanch, elected in 2022 was disqualified for his lack of knowledge of the Odia language.

On February 28, the Court of the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Dhenkanal declared the election of Kailash Chandra Dehury, Sarpanch of Gengutia Gram Panchayat under Sadar block, void and disqualified him under Section 11 (B) of the Orissa Gram Panchayats Act, 1964.

Purusottam Dehury, the defeated candidate had filed a petition against Kailash Chandra Dehury’s win in the Panchayat election held in 2022. In his plea the petitioner had alleged that Kailash was purely illiterate and unable to read and write. The elected sarpanch was alleged to have sworn a false affidavit regarding his list of properties, bank accounts, and educational qualifications during the filing of nomination papers.

The court disqualified Kailash as the Sarpanch and ordered for conduct of a fresh election for the post of Sarpanch.