Supreme Court Warns Of ‘Wrath Of Law’ After Karnataka Disregards Cauvery Orders
Supreme Court has asked Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs per day from October 1-6.
Expressing their anguish at the Karnataka government's disregard for Supreme Court orders, Justice Dipak Misra and Justice UU Lalit pulled up the state yet again and warned of consequences. “One knows not when the wrath of law can fall,” Justice Dipak Misra noted in his order in open court while addressing the Karnataka government.
The apex court reiterated its earlier order and directed the Karnataka government to release 6,000 cusecs water daily to Tamil Nadu between October 1-6 pending further orders. “We are granting the state a last chance despite the assembly resolution” (to not release water to Tamil Nadu).
The court has asked the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Managment Board by October 4 to resolve the impasse between states.
A decision had been taken to appoint another committee following minister of water resources, Uma Bharti's meeting with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on September 29, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi informed the court. The court expressed its concerns over monitoring an additional committee and directed the Centre to appoint the management board at the earliest.
“All four states - Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Union Territory Puducerry - will send their nominations for Cauvery Management Board by Saturday (October 1) to the Union of India (Centre),” directed the court. The board, once constituted, will visit the Cauvery basin and submit a report to the apex court by October 6.
Senior advocate Fali Nariman started his arguments by informing the court about the Karnataka chief minister’s letter to him on the state's decision to not release water despite court orders. Nariman told the court that he will not argue on the state government's behalf as he has nothing to add. He read out two letters in open court - one by Siddaramaiah and another explaining his own stance.
Representing the state of Karnataka I will certainly read out your letter to the Honourable Court. But you must realise that all of us appearing for the state are officers of the court and since the court has issued a direction for release of water despite the resolution passed we must honour the court’s order. I must, therefore, inform you that apart from reading your letter and my reply we will not be able to make any submission on behalf of the state.Fali Nariman’s letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister
Justice Misra also recorded in his order that all states are bound to follow Supreme Court's orders as per the Indian Constitution.
Article 144 of the Constitution of India is crystal clear that all authorities in the territory of India are bound to act on directions of the Supreme Court. Needless to say all states need to obey orders and if required provide assistance. But unfortunately Karnataka, despite being a state, is doubting the orders and in fact creating a situation where the majesty of law is dented. We would have proceeded to steps of strict compliance of orders but as we are directing Cauvery Management Board to study ground reality with a report we reiterate our earlier orders.Supreme Court’s September 30 order on Cauvery water dispute hearing
The Tamil Nadu government proffered no further arguments saying, “Karnataka has consciously decided to defy court orders. We are being treated shabbily.”
The apex court will now hear the matter on October 6 when the Cauvery board has been directed to submit its status report. status report.