Cuttack: In a significant ruling reinforcing linguistic and administrative eligibility norms for grassroots leaders, the Orissa High Court has upheld the disqualification of a sarpanch from Suhagpur gram panchayat in Puri district’s Kakatpur block.
A single bench of Justice R K Pattanaik confirmed that Kailash Chandra Dehury, elected in the 2022 three-tier panchayat elections, is ineligible to hold office due to his inability to read and write in Odia, the state’s official language.
The court observed that the ability to read and write in Odia is essential for a sarpanch, given the responsibilities of communicating with villagers and managing official records. It further stated that it is not just a technical requirement but a practical necessity for effective administration. Without the ability to read and write in the state’s official language, a sarpanch would struggle to discharge duties, maintain transparency, and ensure accountability in village-level governance, it added.
The decision affirmed an earlier ruling by a lower court that invalidated Dehury’s election, which was challenged by Purusottam Dehury, a rival candidate.
Under Section 11 of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964, candidates for sarpanch (or naib-sarpanch) must be able to read and write Odia to qualify, a requirement extended to general members in certain clauses.
This ruling aligns with recent precedents from the Orissa High Court. In December 2025, Justice Pattanaik similarly upheld the disqualification of Maheshwar Jena from the post of Bishnupur gram panchayat in Balasore district, clarifying that mere reading ability is insufficient and writing proficiency is also mandatory under the Act.
