Supreme Court Declines New Petition Over Cauvery Water Allocation Between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

In New Delhi, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court refused to consider a new filing that demanded a re-allocation of 70 TMC of Cauvery river water to Karnataka, emphasizing that the matter is already contested by the rival states. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta warned that allowing societies to intervene would keep the litigation open indefinitely. The petition also sought to alter the existing water-share arrangement, which Karnataka says it has honoured by delivering excess water and maintaining a 9,000 cusecs flow as directed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

Tamil Nadu, however, argues that the state’s share remains insufficient, especially during a rain-deficient season, and has asked the court for immediate enforcement of water releases. Earlier, the CWMA upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s recommendation for a 15-day period of 9,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court had previously instructed Karnataka to comply with that directive.