India News Highlights, 24 October 2026: Farooq Abdullah says Pakistan kept Kashmir issue alive, BJP hits back

Expressing grief over the death, the minister said necessary action would be taken based on the inquiry's findings.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday sparked a political row after saying Pakistan had helped Kashmiris by keeping the Kashmir issue alive at international forums. Addressing a party event in Baramulla, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister questioned whether the Centre would deliver justice to the region’s people and urged Kashmiris to protect their identity.

Reacting sharply, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur termed Abdullah’s remarks “seditious and anti-national” and demanded police action against him. Thakur accused the NC leader of legitimising Pakistan’s position despite its alleged role in sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Two students held after Dalit boy dies by suicide over caste harassment in Tamil Nadu

Two Class 11 students have been arrested in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore in connection with the death by suicide of a 16-year-old Dalit boy who allegedly faced caste-based harassment over eating beef, police said. The incident occurred on October 21, and the victim’s mother alleged that the bullying had intensified over the preceding two months. The school’s headmaster and class teacher have been suspended and detained for questioning over allegations that they failed to act on the complaints. Police have registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Five killed in fire at Andhra road construction site

At least five people were killed in a fire at a road construction site in Pinakota village in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitaramaraju district on Saturday, police said. The fire may have broken out during the refuelling of a dumper truck, possibly triggered by a spark when workers were filling its tank with diesel transported in drums. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said it was an accidental fire, not a blast. Police teams have reached the site, and an investigation is underway.

Landslide hits government bus amid heavy rains in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris

A landslide hit a government bus near Burliyar in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district amid heavy rains, according to a video shared by PTI. Further details, including whether anyone was injured, are not immediately available.

FIR lodged after posters surface inside Delhi Metro questioning government performance

Delhi Police has registered an FIR against unidentified persons after two posters questioning the government’s performance were found inside a train on the Airport Express Line. The black-and-white posters listed nine claims about changes in the country and carried phrases such as “Voting Protest” and “Dissatisfied? You Are Not Alone”, along with a QR code inviting people to join an online group. The posters were found by a train operator on October 20 and handed over to police. The Special Cell is also involved in the investigation to identify those responsible.

Gangster Himanshu Bhau arrested in US

Absconding gangster Himanshu Bhau has been arrested by US law enforcement agencies in Las Vegas following inputs from Indian central agencies, with efforts underway to expedite his extradition to India. Another fugitive, Neeraj Faridpuria, was also detained after allegedly removing his ankle-monitoring bracelet following his release on bail earlier this year.

An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Bhau in August 2023, and he is accused of running an extortion syndicate operating across Delhi, Haryana and Punjab from Portugal, with the help of associates. The 23-year-old, who hails from Rohtak in Haryana, faces over 30 criminal cases, including at least 16 involving murder and attempted murder, according to an NIA source. Faridpuria is allegedly associated with Punjab’s Bambiha gang, a rival of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Ashoke Sen becomes first Indian to win Oskar Klein medal

Noted Indian physicist Ashoke Sen has been awarded the prestigious Oskar Klein medal, becoming the first Indian to receive the honour, which has been awarded annually since 1988 by Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Sen, a professor at the Bengaluru-based International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, is known for his pioneering work on string theory, S-duality, black hole entropy and string field theory. He has previously received the Dirac medal and the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

Karnataka SIR: Form 7 submissions jump to 2.28 lakh in a month

The Election Commission received 2.28 lakh Form 7 applications in Karnataka between June 16 and October 22, up from 58,475 on September 23, amid allegations of bulk submissions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ruling Congress has accused the BJP of misusing the forms to file bulk objections, a charge the BJP denies. More than 10 FIRs have been registered over the issue. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on October 27.

Live Updates
Oct 24, 2026 07:48 PM IST
Farooq Abdullah says Pakistan kept Kashmir issue alive, BJP calls remarks 'seditious'

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday sparked a political row after saying Pakistan had helped Kashmiris by keeping the Kashmir issue alive at international forums. Addressing a party event in Baramulla, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister questioned whether the Centre would deliver justice to the region's people and urged Kashmiris to protect their identity. Reacting sharply, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur termed Abdullah's remarks "seditious and anti-national" and demanded police action against him. Thakur accused the NC leader of legitimising Pakistan's position despite its alleged role in sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

(PTI)

Oct 24, 2026 06:51 PM IST
Delhi Education Minister orders probe into student's death at Krishna Nagar school

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Saturday ordered an inquiry into the death of a student who reportedly set herself on fire at a government school in east Delhi's Krishna Nagar. Sood visited Government Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, where he sought details from school authorities and police officials about the incident and the ongoing investigation. Expressing grief over the death, the minister said necessary action would be taken based on the inquiry's findings. He added that the exact circumstances surrounding the incident would be established only after the investigation was completed.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 06:41 PM IST
JD(U) expels Mokama MLA Anant Singh, former MLA Neelam Devi for six years

The Janata Dal (United) on Saturday expelled Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh and former MLA Neelam Devi from the party for six years over alleged anti-party activities. In an order issued by Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, the party accused Anant Singh of defying party directives, making objectionable remarks against senior leaders and campaigning for another party's candidate in the Legislative Council elections. The JD(U) has also requested the Bihar Assembly Speaker to initiate proceedings against Singh under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection.

Report- Himanshu Harsh

Oct 24, 2026 06:36 PM IST
Samajwadi Party alleges booth capturing in UP MLC polls, demands re-poll and FIR

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday approached the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, alleging booth capturing and electoral irregularities during the Legislative Council elections. Acting on the directions of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, SP state president Shyam Lal Pal submitted a memorandum seeking re-polling at several booths in Amroha, Agra, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh, along with FIRs against those responsible. The party accused BJP leaders of influencing the voting process and demanded action based on video recordings and complaints from candidates. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 27.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 05:53 PM IST
One arrested in Indore in connection with firing on actor Tiger Shroff

Madhya Pradesh Police on Saturday said one person has been arrested from Indore in connection with a firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 04:46 PM IST
Two former employees of UP minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi booked for alleged data theft

Police in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj have registered a case against two former employees of state minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi for allegedly stealing sensitive data and important documents from his computer, officials said on Saturday. The accused, Gaurav Mishra and Durgesh Kumar Singh, were previously part of the minister's social media team. According to the complaint filed by his media adviser, the duo allegedly misused access to the minister's digital records, photographs, hard drives and YouTube account, and forged his official letterhead. An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 03:56 PM IST
One dead as fire engulfs five temporary shops in Noida, six fire tenders deployed

One person died after a fire broke out in five temporary shops in Raipur under the jurisdiction of Sector 126 police station in Noida on Saturday afternoon, police said. Six fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and firefighters evacuated the shops before bringing the blaze under control. During the operation, a person was found unconscious and taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Senior police officers reached the spot, and further legal proceedings are underway.

Report- Drishti Jain

Oct 24, 2026 03:33 PM IST
India condemns deadly attack on church in Jordan, expresses solidarity with victims

India on Saturday strongly condemned the October 23 attack on a church in Karak, Jordan, which left several people dead and many others injured. In a statement, India extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism in all forms, India said it stood firmly with the government and people of Jordan during this difficult time.

Report- Shubhajit Roy

Oct 24, 2026 03:07 PM IST
AISA president Neha Bora refuses to sign Rs 10,000 peace bond, questions curbs on dissent

All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora on Saturday said she would not sign a Rs 10,000 peace bond, a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her plea challenging a police notice issued following her detention during a protest in the capital. Addressing a press conference, Bora questioned the move, asking, "Whose peace am I being asked to keep?" She maintained that peaceful demonstrations and questioning the government were democratic rights and should not be treated as threats to public order. The notice was issued after Bora participated in the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 03:06 PM IST
Two held for allegedly attempting to burn Islamic flag near mosque during Durga procession in UP

Police in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district have apprehended two people, including a 17-year-old minor, for allegedly attempting to set an Islamic flag on fire during a Durga idol immersion procession, officials said on Saturday. The incident took place on Wednesday night when the procession passed a mosque in Garwar town. According to police, some participants allegedly sprayed a flammable liquid towards a flag mounted on an electricity pole in an attempt to ignite it. A case was registered on Friday under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further legal proceedings are underway.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 03:04 PM IST
Naseeruddin Shah, Payal Kapadia back protesting SRFTI students, raise concerns over campus safety

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and filmmaker Payal Kapadia have expressed solidarity with students protesting at Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) over alleged attacks by RSS-linked groups. In a video message, Shah accused the BJP of targeting those who disagree with its ideology, while Kapadia raised concerns over student safety and alleged disciplinary action against protesters. Classes at the institute have remained suspended since September 28, as students demand Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera's resignation. The institute has also directed students to vacate the campus and suspended filmmaking and video classes until November 13.

Oct 24, 2026 02:52 PM IST
Cow shelter manager arrested after six cows found dead in UP's Muzaffarnagar

Police have arrested the manager of a cow shelter in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district after six cows were found dead, allegedly due to negligence, officials said on Saturday. The accused, Rahul Yadav, managed the Pandit Chajjumal shelter home in Chuhapur village, where the carcasses were discovered on October 19.

A case has been registered against him, police said. Meanwhile, Hindu activists staged a protest outside the shelter, demanding strict action over the deaths.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 02:50 PM IST
Class 12 student found burnt to death on school premises in east Delhi

An 18-year-old Class 12 student was found burnt to death behind the guard room of a school in east Delhi's Krishna Nagar on Saturday, police said. Police personnel rushed to the spot after receiving a PCR call about a fire at the school. A crime team inspected the scene and collected evidence, while certain materials were recovered from the spot and the student's school bag. Police said an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

Oct 24, 2026 02:45 PM IST
BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over Nov 1 rally date, says it hurts Sikh sentiments

The BJP on Saturday attacked the Congress over the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally in Delhi against alleged ‘vote chori’. It alleged that Rahul Gandhi is “adamant” on that date to rub salt on the wounds of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad cited Sam Pitroda’s “what happened, happened” remark on the riots and called Gandhi “stubborn” and “childish”.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal urged the Congress to defer the Ramlila Maidan rally, saying traders could lose crores. “People have a right to earn their livelihood,” he said.

PTI

Oct 24, 2026 02:30 PM IST
Mumbai Crime Branch detains another suspect from Indore in Tiger Shroff firing case

The Mumbai Crime Branch has detained another male suspect from Indore in connection with the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff, police said. He is being questioned on suspicion of having allegedly assisted the accused already arrested in the case.

Police are taking further legal action in the matter.

Oct 24, 2026 02:09 PM IST
Omar Abdullah says J-K Cabinet reshuffle next week, ministerial list finalised

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his council of ministers would be expanded and reshuffled in the first two to three days of next week. After meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar, Abdullah said he had sought time from him for the exercise and that the list had been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Urging party colleagues and MLAs not to lobby for ministerial berths, the chief minister said the decision had already been made. He also said his government would approach the Ministry of External Affairs to help Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations, adding that it would consider allocating funds from its own budget if the Centre could not provide financial assistance for tickets or repatriation.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 02:06 PM IST
Two Class 11 students arrested after Dalit boy dies by suicide over alleged caste harassment in Tamil Nadu

Two Class 11 students have been arrested in connection with the death by suicide of a 16-year-old Dalit boy who allegedly faced caste-based taunts and harassment over his consumption of beef in Coimbatore, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred at the boy’s residence in Peelamedu on October 21. His mother alleged in a complaint that the harassment had escalated about two months earlier.

The arrested teenagers, who were the boy’s classmates, have been sent to an observation home after being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. The school management has suspended the headmaster, S Arunkumar, and class teacher, P Vijayakumar, who have been detained for questioning. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 02:00 PM IST
Man arrested for allegedly cheating Delhi Police constable of Rs 24 lakh

A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly cheating a Delhi Police constable of around Rs 24 lakh by promising high returns on investments after befriending her on social media, police said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Vikrant Kumar alias Vicky Tomar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, allegedly posed as a professional cricketer and initially approached the woman, claiming he sought guidance on joining Delhi Police under the sports quota.

Police said the constable transferred her savings to multiple bank accounts at his direction, besides taking a personal loan of Rs 12 lakh and borrowing money from acquaintances. Around Rs 8 lakh was allegedly transferred to accounts linked to a betting platform. The complainant also alleged that the accused inappropriately touched her waist during an in-person meeting. Police said they we re investigating the case and looking for other possible victims.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 01:38 PM IST
Karnataka CM sanctions prosecution of suspended IAS officer in KPSC recruitment case

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sanctioned the prosecution of suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in a case linked to alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process. Gangwar, who is currently in judicial custody, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on August 29 over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers.

Gangwar served as KPSC’s Controller of Examinations from February 2024 to March 2026. The CID is probing the alleged mishandling of records and OMR sheets, while the Enforcement Directorate is investigating possible money laundering. The ED has alleged that Gangwar facilitated the leakage of the examination question paper to a middleman a day before the test in exchange for illegal gratification, with candidates allegedly paying Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh to obtain it.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 12:43 PM IST
False ceiling collapses at newly built Kottayam medical college block, no injuries

A portion of the false ceiling at the newly constructed surgical block of Kottayam Government Medical College in Kerala collapsed on Friday evening, with no injuries reported, authorities said on Saturday. The incident occurred near the ophthalmology department, where patients and bystanders wait for consultations and tests. No patients were present in the area at the time.

The surgical block, built at a cost of around Rs 200 crore, was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in February this year. The incident comes a year after a portion of an old building at the medical college collapsed, killing a woman. The new block houses several departments, wards and inpatient facilities. Its construction had also drawn allegations of corruption, prompting complaints to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Hospital authorities said an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the collapse.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 12:31 PM IST
Six killed, girl injured as car rams into truck in Rajasthan’s Churu

Six people, including a child and the car driver, were killed and a girl injured after a speeding car rammed into the rear of a truck on the Dadrewa-Taranagar road in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Saturday morning, police said. Five of the deceased belonged to a family from Somsisar village in Taranagar and were on their way to offer prayers at a temple. The car had seven occupants, of whom six died on the spot.

Police reached the spot after receiving information and shifted the victims to a hospital. The injured girl is undergoing treatment, while an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances of the accident.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 11:30 AM IST
Five killed in accidental fire at road construction site in Andhra Pradesh

At least five people were killed in a fire at a road construction site in Pinakota village in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitaramaraju district on Saturday, possibly during the refuelling of a dumper truck, police said. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said workers at the site, located around 100 km from the nearest facilities, generally transported diesel in drums to refuel vehicles.

Police suspect that inadequate precautions during refuelling and a possible spark may have triggered the fire. Bardar said it was an accidental fire, not a blast, and confirmed five deaths so far. Police teams have reached the site to investigate the incident.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 10:05 AM IST
Landslide hits government bus amid heavy rains in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris

A landslide hit a government bus near Burliyar in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district amid heavy rains, according to a video shared by PTI.

Oct 24, 2026 09:48 AM IST
Foreign currency worth Rs 1.56 crore seized at Hyderabad airport, arrests two

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign currency worth around Rs 1.56 crore at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and arrested two passengers travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Acting on specific intelligence, officials intercepted a male passenger on October 22 and recovered currency worth Rs 63.62 lakh concealed among clothes in his trolley bag.

Further questioning led officials to a female passenger travelling on the same flight under a different passenger name record. A search of her baggage led to the recovery of US dollars worth around Rs 91.94 lakh, similarly concealed among clothes. The DRI said both passengers failed to produce documents establishing the lawful procurement and carriage of the currency. The entire consignment and the trolley bags were seized under the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 09:36 AM IST
Sabarimala 'ghee diversion' case: Contractor arrested, Rs 2.5-cr loss

Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has arrested transport contractor S S Binu for allegedly diverting 11,000 litres of Milma ghee meant for Sabarimala temple and replacing it with a cheaper product, causing an estimated loss of Rs 2.5 crore to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Binu was awarded the contract to transport ghee to the shrine for the 2025 pilgrimage season. This is the first arrest in the case, which is being investigated by the VACB following a Kerala High Court directive.

According to investigators, the original ghee was allegedly diverted to two agencies in Tamil Nadu — Sri Venkateswara Traders and Leo Traders, both based in Ottanchathiram — using forged documents, including fake invoices. A cheaper product was allegedly supplied to the shrine for preparing Aravana payasam, offered as prasadam at the Lord Ayyappa temple. Further investigation is underway.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 09:12 AM IST
Delhi’s AQI improves to 190, enters ‘moderate’ category; several areas remain poor

Delhi’s air quality improved marginally on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 190 at 8 am, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI stood at 223 on Friday and 226 on Thursday, both in the ‘poor’ category.

However, several monitoring stations continued to record poor air quality, including Jahangirpuri at 276, Punjabi Bagh at 251 and Rohini at 239. Anand Vihar (175), IGI Airport (174) and JNU (179) remained in the moderate category. The Commission for Air Quality Management has already invoked Stage I of GRAP across Delhi-NCR, with authorities reviewing measures to curb pollution, including checking pollution certificates, restricting non-compliant vehicles and controlling road dust and construction-related pollution.

- With ANI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 09:10 AM IST
Bengal to end extended Durga Puja holidays for state hospital staff from 2027

The West Bengal government will end the extended Durga Puja holidays for staff at state-run hospitals from 2027 and introduce duty rosters to ensure round-the-clock healthcare services, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay said on Friday. Under the existing practice, the festive break begins on Sasthi and continues until Lakshmi Puja.

The minister said hospital staff would be assigned duty rosters from Saptami to Dashami during next year’s festivities. Doctors and nurses would not have fixed rosters but would be required to remain available at hospitals as needed. The announcement follows reports of doctors and other officials remaining absent during the festive period, with allegations that some had taken leave without permission. The minister also directed employees currently on leave to resume work.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 09:00 AM IST
Man held in Rs 2.5-crore digital arrest fraud targeting retired judge

Rajasthan Police have taken another man, Ebin Basil, a resident of Elamakkara in Kochi, into custody in connection with an alleged digital arrest fraud in which a 90-year-old retired judge was cheated of Rs 2.5 crore. Kochi City Police officials said Basil was taken into custody on Friday. Earlier, Rajasthan Police had arrested Anand Babu, a resident of Varapuzha, with assistance from their Kochi counterparts.

The victim, identified as former district judge Ganpat Singh Bhandari, was allegedly kept under digital arrest for around 15 days in August by fraudsters posing as CBI officials and an RBI manager. They allegedly linked him to hawala transactions related to the Pulwama case and threatened to arrest him. Police said the money was transferred to bank accounts held by the accused in Kerala, and further investigation is underway as more people from the state are suspected to be involved.

– With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 08:59 AM IST
Minor fire breaks out in Shaheed Express coach in UP, no injuries reported

A minor fire broke out in the S-6 sleeper coach of the Shaheed Express near Nagina in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district around 11 pm on Friday, triggering panic among passengers. No injuries were reported, and the coach suffered minor damage, Northern Railway CPRO Himanshu Kumar said.

Passengers noticed smoke and sparks near the Kotwali railway crossing and stopped the train by pulling the emergency chain. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in around 30 minutes, and the coach was evacuated as a precaution. It was replaced at Bareilly, causing the train to remain stationary for around 40 minutes. Railway officials are investigating the incident.

- With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 08:56 AM IST
FIR lodged after posters questioning government performance found in Delhi Metro

An FIR has been registered against unidentified persons after two posters questioning the government’s performance and raising various issues were found pasted inside a train on the Delhi Metro’s Airport Express Line, police sources said. The A4-sized black-and-white posters carried phrases such as “Voting Protest”, “Community Building Reform” and “Dissatisfied? You Are Not Alone”, alongside nine claims about changes in the country in recent years.

The incident came to light on October 20 when a DMRC train operator spotted the posters during an inspection after the train reached Yashobhoomi station. He removed them and alerted senior officials, following which they were handed over to police. The posters, which carried a QR code inviting people to join an online group, have been seized. The Special Cell is also involved in the investigation to identify those responsible.

– With PTI Inputs

Oct 24, 2026 08:55 AM IST
Odisha moves SC against Andhra over panchayat polls in disputed Kotia region

The Odisha government has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh over its notification to conduct panchayat elections in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Andhra Pradesh had violated a 2006 Supreme Court order directing both states to maintain status quo over the territory.

Andhra Pradesh issued the October 10 notification for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in villages in the Kotia cluster, which Odisha claims as its territory. While all 28 villages under Kotia Gram Panchayat fall within Odisha, Andhra Pradesh claims rights over 21 of them. Odisha had filed a similar contempt petition in 2022 after Andhra Pradesh conducted panchayat polls in the disputed region in 2021.

- With PTI Inputs

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