Supreme Court has given its verdict on the controversy over Borra Caves and 28 Kotia villages on the Andhra-Orissa border. S.S.S.S. V. R. M. Raju, special counsel appointed by the State government to argue the case told a press conference on Sunday that former Chief Justice of Supreme Court K.G. Balakrishnan had in May 2010 dismissed the petition filed by the Orissa Government claiming rights over the famous tourist spot, Borra Caves.
The Orissa Government argued that Jeypore Estate had purchased the caves in auction some time in 1920s and hence they are part of Orissa state that was formed in 1936.
But, the Court had observed that the caves belong to Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation of Madras presidency and it was developed as a tourist spot after Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956, Mr. Raju said. With regard to controversy over 28 Kotia villages under Pottangi panchayat in Salur Assembly constituency, Mr. Raju said that after prolonged arguments over a decade, the Court left the decision to the Centre because it was not under its purview.
However, the verdict stated that status quo must be maintained on Kotia villages till the Centre takes a decision, he added.
The copies of the verdict on both the disputes reached the State Government recently, Mr. Raju said.
