In Brief
The Supreme Court dealt with interlocutory applications arising from the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Despite a legislative resolution passed by Karnataka opposing water release, the Court directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water initially and subsequently 2,000 cusecs daily pending final adjudication. The Court emphasised that under Article 144, all state authorities must obey Supreme Court orders and assist in maintaining constitutional law. The Court appointed an independent technical team to assess ground realities in the Cauvery basin and report by 17 October 2016, after which the appeals would be heard on 18 October 2016. Water released during interim orders would be adjusted in the final judgment. The Court deferred deciding whether to recall the order to constitute a Cauvery Management Board to the final hearing.
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