RANGANATHAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have been through the writ petitions, other pleadings, and documents filed along with orders made by this court from time to time. Having heard the learned counsel on all sides in these two petitions, we are of the view that at this stage it would be appropriate to direct the constitution of an authority to inquire into and deal with the claim that arise in respect of the affected persons in the riots that took place between December, 1991 and January 1992 as an offshoot of the Cauvery Water Dispute between the State of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. We have formulated a scheme for composition of the authority, the manner in which the claim applications have to be invited, received and dealt with. The scheme in detail is set-forth as follows :

(2.) The Authority or any party to these proceedings will be at liberty to approach this court for appropriate order or further directions incase of any difficulty." 2. The State of Tamil Nadu and State of Karnataka shall make available a set of pleadings and other documents filed before this court to the concerned Authorities which have to deal with the claims.

(3.) We must place on record our appreciation of the gesture of goodwill shown by the State of Tamil Nadu and State of Kamataka as well as the learned counsel appearing in these petitions and learned counsel appearing for the Supreme court Legal Services Committee who have rendered their valuable assistance.