In a significant turn of events, Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court of India has withdrawn from presiding over the contentious Cauvery River water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This decision has prompted a reshuffle in the scheduled proceedings, with a bench including Justice PS Narasimha.

The bench, in light of Justice Kumar's recusal, has directed that the matter be referred to the Chief Justice of India for further instructions, underscoring the gravity of the dispute. This development underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the issue at hand, which has long been a focal point of legal and political contention.

Last year, the Supreme Court had declined to intervene in the matter, upholding the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) regarding the release of Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. This decision came after CWMA reported that Karnataka had complied with the August 10 directive to release water to Tamil Nadu, citing the alarming decrease in inflow into Karnataka's Cauvery basin reservoirs over the past three decades.

In response, the Karnataka Government emphasized the dire drought conditions affecting both the Cauvery and Krishna basins, asserting the impracticality of further water releases post-September 12, 2023. This assertion underscores the complexities inherent in balancing water distribution amidst climatic and ecological challenges.

The Supreme Court, seeking to assess compliance with previous directives, has requested a fresh report from CWMA regarding water discharge, signaling its ongoing vigilance over the matter. A bench led by Justice BR Gavai has further tasked the Authority with outlining the next steps for water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, highlighting the continued judicial scrutiny of this longstanding dispute.

Notably, Karnataka has argued against strict adherence to water release stipulations, citing the adverse impact of the southwest monsoon's failure on the state's water resources. Conversely, Tamil Nadu has persistently sought relief, petitioning the apex court last August to compel Karnataka to honor its water release obligations following the court's 2018 ruling, which modified the 2007 Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's final award.

Case: State or Karnataka Vs State of Tamil Nadu and Ors.