The Supreme Court on Friday gave Karnataka a “last chance” to fall in line with its order to supply Tamil Nadu 6000 cusecs of Cauvery water for the next six days from October 1 to 6.
The Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and UU lalit said, “We are granting this opportunity as the last chance… The State of Karnataka should not be bent upon maintaining an obstinate stand of defiance, for one knows not when the wrath of law shall fall on one.”
Karnataka, which defied the court order on four previous occasions by refusing to give water to Tamil Nadu, faced a stern warning from the court which said that in the event of any further defiance, the “wrath of law” will fall on the State for violating Article 144 of the Constitution.
This Article requires that all authorities in the country “shall act” in aid of the Supreme Court.
On Friday, the Centre informed the court that attempts made by the Central Water Resources Ministry to bring both State heads on the talking table turned futile as both sides stuck to their adamant positions.
A dejected Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, told the court, “We have been treated so shabbily that there is nothing further that the State of Tamil Nadu wants to place before this court. The State of Karnataka has consciously taken a decision to defy court orders. It is a rare circumstance created under Article 144.”
Senior advocate Fali Nariman, who appeared for Karnataka, shared two letters exchanged between him and Chief Minister S Siddaramiah. In the letter, the CM conveyed he was forced to respect the will of the people of Karnataka and was not in a position to release any water to TN, particularly when the State Assembly had passed a resolution to this effect. Nariman replied to the CM stating that the court order has to be honoured, and in view of such a stand taken by the state he did not wish to present any submissions for the State.
The Bench asked the Centre to expedite the formation of Cauvery Management Board by Tuesday. The States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry were asked to nominate a member each to the Board by Saturday. The court directed the Board to visit Karnataka and prepare a report on the “ground realities” as regards drinking water availability by October 6, the date when the matter will be heard next.