Supreme Court of India has disposed the matter filed by Kerala against Karnataka after the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the court that the dispute has been resolved.
Brief Facts
The Karnataka Government has closed all state borders from Kerala in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Deprived of the major goods and equipment and the blockade leading to death of more than 8 people Kerala Government has filed a plea before the Kerala High Court, and the High Court has directed the Central Government to lift the barriers by the State of Karnataka. Karnataka Government challenged the order passed by the Kerala High Court in front of the Supreme Court. The matter was held through video conference headed by Hon’ble Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Hon’ble Justice Deepak Gupta. The Apex Court suggested the state governments to solve the matter amicably. Later Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the dispute has been resolved.
Key Features
1. Kerala Government filed a plea before Kerala High Court to lift the blockade by the Karnataka Government for the people who live close to the border and it’s preferred that they seek treatment from Mangalore district in Karnataka.
2. Kerala High Court directed the Central Government to lift the blockade.
3. Karnataka Government challenged the decision passed by High Court before Supreme Court, claimed that the blockade was to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
4. The Apex Court suggested both the states to solve the matter amicably[i].
5. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta has informed the court that the dispute between the states has been resolved, and the Supreme Court has then disposed the matter.
Conclusion
It’s imperative that the Karnataka Government allows emergency cases and restrict the permit to all other cases. As the matter has come to conclusion after the states have agreed together to do the activity in good faith and which will benefit both governments.
Edited by J. Madonna Jephi
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
End Notes
[i] Debayan Roy, Supreme Court disposes of Kerala-Karnataka Border closure case after SG claims that dispute is resolved Bar and Bench – Indian Legal news, https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/sc-disposes-kerala-karnataka-border-sealing-case-after-sg-says-dispute-resolved (last visited Apr 7, 2020).
