SC to examine fresh row on Mullaperiyar

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will on Tuesday examine the cross applications moved by Tamil Nadu and Kerala seeking the apex courts' intervention on the fresh row relating to the controversial Mullaperiyar dam. What is the issue

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will on Tuesday examine the cross applications moved by Tamil Nadu and Kerala seeking the apex courts' intervention on the fresh row relating to the controversial Mullaperiyar dam.

The matter will be heard by a bench of justices DK Jain, RM Lodha, Deepak Verma, CK Prasad and AR Dave at 3.30pm.

Besides, the applications by Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments, the application moved by DMK on Monday may also figure on the agenda.

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On December 1, Tamil Nadu government had moved the apex court accusing Kerala government of whipping up a "fear psychosis" on Mullaperiyar row and sought the court's direction to restrain the state from making any controversial statement on the issue.

Tamil Nadu alleged Kerala, despite a status quo order by the apex court, was making public statements on issues of pulling down the century-old dam and constructing a new one in its place.

In 2006, the apex court had upheld Tamil Nadu's decision to increase the level of the water in the dam. However, Kerala had in 2009 brought a legislation to reduce the water level in the dam.

Aggrieved, Tamil Nadu appealed in the apex court contending Kerala's legislation was aimed at circumventing the country's highest court order empowering the state to increase the water level.

On November 11, 2009, the apex court, while referring the matter to be placed before the Constitution Bench, directed the two states to maintain status quo in respect of the dam as on the said date.

Further, another order of the Bench on February 18, 2010, directed the central government to constitute an empowered committee to go into the safety aspect of the dam.