Cauvery River Dispute: Supreme Court Frames Eight Key Issues hearing

Supreme Court Sets Stage for Landmark Legal Battle in Cauvery River Dispute

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court (SC) delineated eight key issues pertaining to a suit initiated by the State of Karnataka against the States/Union territories of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Kerala regarding the Cauvery River water dispute. The bench also instructed all parties involved to submit relevant documents within six weeks and scheduled the next hearing for direction on May 07, 2024. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the order on March 19, 2024. The outlined issues are as follows:

• Whether the Suit is subject to prohibition under Section 11 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, in conjunction with Article 262(2) of the Constitution of India?
• Whether the Suit is barred by the doctrine of Res Judicata?
• Whether the plaintiff holds the entitlement to access, utilize, or benefit from “Karnataka Cauvery Water,” as defined in paragraph 6(a) of the Plaint?
• Whether defendant Nos.1 and 3 lack entitlement to access, utilize, or benefit from any water within the Cauvery basin beyond “Tamil Nadu Cauvery Water,” as delineated in paragraph 6(b) of the Plaint?
• Whether the Suit, based on the division of River Cauvery waters into “Karnataka Cauvery Water” and “Tamil Nadu Cauvery Water,” is maintainable?
• Whether the projects proposed by the first defendant detrimentally impact the rights and interests of the plaintiff-State?
• Whether the Suit is maintainable in the absence of a valid cause of action?
• What, if any, relief is warranted in this matter?