The Supreme Court of India today dismissed an application filed by Tamil Nadu opposing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Karnataka's Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar hailed the decision, stating it was a setback for Tamil Nadu and a victory for justice in Karnataka.

The ruling marks a crucial development in the long-standing, historic Cauvery water dispute, which has persisted for seven years.

Supreme Court’s Stance and Ruling -

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and including Justices B. R. Gavai, K. Vinod Chandran, and N. V. Anjaria, dismissed the application submitted by the Tamil Nadu government.

The bench, led by CJI Chandrachud, observed that Tamil Nadu's plea was misdirected. It asserted that the state should have approached the expert committee empowered to supervise the order, rather than the judiciary. Also Read: Demand for Separate North Karnataka State: MLA Raju Kage Writes to PM, Faces Backlash from Own Congress Party!

The Court emphasized that an expert committee is the appropriate body to resolve water-sharing issues, stressing that approvals must come from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), not the judiciary. The Court further directed officials that any issues could be raised before the Central Water Commission and asked for quick decisions to be taken.

Contempt Warning and Observations -

The Court issued a warning regarding contempt of court, stating that failure to comply with its directives could lead to contempt proceedings. During the hearing, the Court made a pointed observation regarding persistent river disputes:

"If the river is long, the disputes are perennial; we cannot be here constantly." Lava Bold N1 5G (Champagne Gold, 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage) |Bigger 6.75" HD+ Notch Display | Octacore 5G Processor | 13 MP AI Camera |5000 mAh Battery| IP54 Rated Dust & Water Splash Proof

DK Shivakumar’s Reaction -

Speaking to the media near the Vidhana Soudha, Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar reacted enthusiastically to the ruling:

"This is a victory for our 'Namma Neeru Namma Hakku' (Our Water, Our Right) project. We have received justice from the judicial bench. Justice has been served for the prayers and hardships of the people of the state."

He further argued that the Mekedatu project would ultimately be beneficial for Tamil Nadu as well, promising to speak in detail once he receives the complete information. Also Read: Money Laundering Case: Jaypee Infratech MD Manoj Gaur Arrested by ED Over ₹12,000 Crore Fraud!