Holding

The Supreme Court affirmed the mandatory injunction directing Punjab to complete the SYL canal, dismissed Punjab's suit and challenges, and ordered the Union of India to ensure the canal's completion.

Summary

The Supreme Court upheld a 2002 decree that mandated the State of Punjab to complete the Sutlej‑Yamuna Link (SYL) canal within one year, directing the Union of India to intervene if Punjab failed. Punjab’s subsequent suit challenging the decree, the constitutionality of Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 and Section 14 of the Inter‑State Water Disputes Act, 1956, and seeking to modify the injunction on the ground of changed circumstances, was dismissed. The Court held that the decree was a final mandatory injunction, not subject to modification, and that the plaintiff must show a "cause of action" under Order XXIII Rule 6(a) of the Supreme Court Rules, which Punjab failed to do. The doctrine of res judicata barred Punjab’s suit, and the challenges to the statutes were rejected as being barred and lacking substantive grounds. The Court ordered the Union of India to ensure completion of the canal through a central agency and dismissed Punjab’s suit with costs.

Issues considered

The maintainability of Haryana's application for execution of the 2002 decree under Article 131 and Supreme Court Rules.
Whether Punjab's suit discloses a cause of action under Order XXIII Rule 6(a) of the Supreme Court Rules.
The applicability of the doctrine of res judicata to Punjab's challenge of the decree and statutory provisions.
The constitutionality of Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
The constitutionality of Section 14 of the Inter‑State Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Whether the decree can be modified on the basis of changed circumstances.
Whether the decree violates Article 145(3) or Article 262 of the Constitution.
Whether the SYL canal construction constitutes a "water dispute" within the meaning of the Inter‑State Water Disputes Act.

Legislation cited

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. 20, s. 51(e)
Constitution of Indias. Article 131, s. Article 142, s. Article 144, s. Article 145(3), s. Article 202, s. Article 262
Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956s. 14
Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966s. 78
Specific Relief Act, 1963s. 36, s. 38, s. 39, s. 40, s. 42
Supreme Court Rules, 1966s. Order XLVII Rule 6, s. Order XXIII Rule 6(a), s. Order XXXII Rule 2

Subjects

Article 131SYL canalmandatory injunctionres judicatacause of actioninter‑state water disputePunjab Reorganisation ActInter‑State Water Disputes ActSupreme Court Rulesexecution of decreeconstitutional lawwater allocation

Judgment

STATE OF HARYANA A
v.
·STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR.

JUNE 4, 2004

[RUMA PAL AND P. VENKATARAMA REDDI, JJ.] B
Constitution of India, 1950; Articles 131, 144, 145 and 202/Punjab
Reorganisation Act, 1966; Section 78/Supreme Court Rules, 1966; Order
XXIII Rule 6 and Order XL VII Rule 6 :

Apportionment of river waters between Haryana and Punjab-
c
Construction of Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal-Portion of the Canal not
completed by Punjab-Suit filed byHaryana for directions to Punjab and
another suit filed by Punjab challenging Section 78 of the Act-Supreme
Court decreed the suit of Haryana and issued a mandatory injunction
directing Punjab to complete construction of the canal within one year else D
Union Government to get it done-Rivew Petition-Dismissed by Supreme
Court-Application for enforcement of the decree-Held : Supreme Court
has been conferred with exclusive jurisdiction to decide any dispute
between the States/States and Centre provided the dispute involves question
on which the existence/extent of a legal right depends-However, the E
phrase 'cause of action 'as appears in Order XX/// Rule 6(a) could be
construed in the context to Article 131 since it gives effect to limitation
implicit in the Article itself-Hence, the Rule can not be held to be ultra
vires Article 131-Neither the circumstances on the basis of which the
decree was passed changed nor the grounds founded the decree have F
changed-Period specified in the decree has long since been over-Refusal
to comply with the decree of the Supreme Court under Article 131 amounts
not only to contempt but would also shake the very foundation of the
Constitution-Union of India worked out a contingent action plan 10
complete work on the canal-Union of India to carry out the work as G
planned within the specified time frame-Directions issued-Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908-Sections 20 & 51(e).

Specific Relief Act, 163; Sections 36 to 42 :

'Temporary injunction' and 'Permanent injunction '-Distinction H
849
850 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A between.

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 :

Decree-Meaning of-Discussed.
B
Doctrine of res-judicata-Applicability of-Held: Applicable, since
both issues pertaining to jurisdiction of the Court have been considered
and decided inter-par/es by the Supreme Court and order of withdrawal
was not conditional one.

c Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956; Section 14 :

Section 14-Constitutionality of-Held : since grounds given in
support of challenge ex-facie and no cause of action has beer disclosed
to challenge constitutional validity, the challenge rejected in limine.
D
A notification was issued by the Union of India under the
provisions of Punjab Reorganisation Act inter alia providing for
division of the river water between the States of Punjab and Haryana;
In connection thereto, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal was required fo
E be constructed through both the States. State ofHaryana had completed
portion of the Canal passing through its territory. However, the State
of Punjab did not complete its portion of the canal. Haryana filed a
suit seeking directions to Punjab for construction of the canal. Punjab
in turn filed a suit challenging Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation
F Act. During pendency of the suits, an agreement was entered into
between the State of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, which provided
that the Sutlej-Yamuna Canal Project would be implemented in a time
bound manner, within a maximum period of two years from signing
of the agreement and the suits were withdrawn. However, the portion
of the canal in Punjab remained incomplete. Later, a settlement - the
G Punjab Settlement - was arrived at, whereby construction of the canal
was agreed to be completed by Punjab within the stipulated period;
and the issues relating to the usage, share and allocation of the Ravi-
Beas water referred to the Waters Tribunal. Since Pu.njab could not
complete the construction, Haryana filed a suit seeking a decree of
H mandatory injunction compelling the State of Punjab to complete the
STATEv. STATE 851

construction. This Court decreed the suit directing the State of Punjab A
to complete the construction of the canal. Instead of complying with
the directions of this Court, Punjab preferred a Review Petition, which
was dismissed. Later, when Haryana filed a petition for execution of
the decree, Punjab filed a suit for declaring Section 78(1) of the Punjab
Reorganisation Act and Section 14 of the Inter-State Water Disputes B
Act ultra vires the Constitution of India, and to declare the Punjab
Settlement not enforceable under the changed circumstances and to
discharge the State of Punjab from the obligation to construct the
canal. Haryana filed applications under Order XXIll Rule 6 r/w Order
XLVll Rule 6 of the Supreme Court Rules for execution of the decree
and State of Punjab filed a writ petition for declaration of Rule 6(a) C
of Order XXlll of the Supreme Court Rules ultra vires the Constitution.

It was contended by the State of Haryana that the suit filed by
the State of Punjab to set aside the decree was not maintainable; that
the suit seeking to raise water disputes could not be entertained by this D
Court; that the State of Punjab could not challenge the vires of Section
78 of the .Punjab Reorganisation Act; that the issue raised earlier in
a suit and withdrawn later could not be raised again and that Punjab's
challenge to Section 14 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act is barred
by estoppel. E

State of Punjab submitted that it could resist execution of the
decree by reason of changed circumstances as per provisions under
Article 131 of the Constitution; that the requirement of cause of action
under Order XXlll Rule 6(a) of the Supreme Court Rules could not F
be imported into Article 131 of the Constitution; that Order XXIII
Rule 6(a) of the Rule is ultra vires Article 131 of the Constitution; and
that the petition should be heard by a Bench of three Judges.

Allowing the application, the Court
G
HELD: I. The normal rule is that' an application for modification
of the decree or order is to be made before the Bench which passed
the decree or order. Merely because the litigating parties are States,
would not alter this position. In any event, no such issue has been raised
which requires determination by a larger Bench. 1866-C-D) H
852 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A 2. It is evident that the phrase "cause of action" as occurring in
Order XXIII Rule 6(a) does not appear in Article 131. A suit under
Article 131 is not an 'ordinary' suit, and the phrase "cause of action"
is conspicuous by its absence in the Article. But it cannot be said that by
the use of the phrase in Order XXllI Rule 6(a) of the Rules, the burden
B and limitations created by judicial interpretation of the phrase in
connection with 'ordinary' suits are necessarily introduced, shackling
an otherwise exclusive jurisdiction. The phrase as occurring in Order
XXIII Rule 6(a) of the rules will have to be read and construed in the
context of Article 131 unimpaired by the meaning judicially given to it
C in other contexts. Literally, the phrase means nothing more than the
'ground to sue'. The 'cause ofaction' under Rule 6(a) is the 'sole condition'
which is required to be satisfied before the jurisdiction of this Court can
be invoked. If the plaint does not ex facie show the fulfilment of that
condition, it would not be maintainable. This follows from the language
D of Article 131 itself. Therefore merely because the phrase "cause of
action" has been used in Order XXIII Rule 6(a) does not mean that
principles enunciated in the context of Section 20 of the Code of Civil
Procedure are imported. Rule 6(a) only gives effect to limitations implicit
in Article 131 itself. It follows that it does not violate Article 131 or any
E other provision of the Constitution. (867-B, E-F-G; 870-F-G-HI
State of Rajasthan v. Union of India, (19771 3 SCC 592 and State
of Karnataka v. Union of India, (19771 4 SCC 608, followed.

D. Ramachandran v. R. V. Janakiraman, (19991 3 SCC 267, 271,
F referred to.

3. Unless the plaintiff could establish that there exists a legal right,
there would be no question of this Court deciding any dispute regarding
the extent or existence of such right under Article 131 ofthe Constitution.
G The plaintiff in the present case claims that the legal right in question is
the right to have an injunction modified by reason of changed
circumstances. The general law relating to injunctions as contained in
Sections 36 to 42 of the Specific Relief Act may not limit the powers of
this Court under Article 131 nevertheless they provide valuable guidelines
H as to the nature of this form of equitable reilief. (873-8, F-G-HJ
STATE v. STATE 853

State of Rajasthan v. Union of India, 11977) 3 sec 592, followed. A

4.1. An injunction may be permanent/perpetual or temporary. A
permanent injunction is final and conclusive of the facts in the context
of which it is granted. A temporary injunction by contrast is granted
on a prima facie view of the facts and, as the word 'temporary' itself B
indicates, is an interim order pending a final adjudication of the rights
of the parties. This distinction is not to be confused with the distinction
between a prohibitory or preventive injunction on the one hand and
a mandatory injunction on the other. In the first case a party is
prevented from doing a particular thing or continuing with a particular C
action. A mandatory injunction on the other hand commands an act
to be done and is provided for under Section 39 of the Specific Relief
Act. In the present case the decree granted a final mandatory injunction.
1874-A-B-C)

Khazan Singh v. Ra/la Ram, AIR (1937) Lahore 839; Yashpal Singh D
v. VIII Addi. District Judge and Others, 119921 2 SCC 504; Surinder
Kumar v. Ishwar Dayal, [1996) 3 SCC 103 and Municipal Board,
Kishangarh v. Chand Mal, (19991 9 SCC 198, referred to.

Albert H Ladner v. Clarence R. Siegel, 68 ALR 1172; United States E
of America v. Swift & Company, 286 US 105, 76 L.Ed. 999; Santa Rita
Oil Company v. State Board of Equalization, 126 ALR 757; Coca Cola
Company v. Standard Bottling Company, 138 F.2D 788 and System
Federation No. 91, Railway Employees Dept. v. 0. V Wright, 364 US 642,
5 L.Ed. 2d 349, referred to.
F
Kerr on Injunctions 6th Edn. p.40, referred to.

4.2. A decree cannot reach a prima facie conclusion. The use of
the phrase 'prima facie' is clearly an accident of language and does not
detract from the conclusiveness of the finding and the finality of the G
mandate. It directed the construction of a canal as a final adjudication
of rights. The mandate in the decree was to carry out the obligations
under the agreement. It did not envisage a "continuing process over
which the equity court necessarily retains jurisdiction in order to do
equity'. Principle relating to modification of decree is absent, since the H
854
SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A decree was not based on the quantum of water that may be made
available to Haryana, the fact that Punjab's complaint was pending
under Section 3 of the inter-State Water Disputes Act or that Haryana
may, in the future, be entitled to more water is immaterial. for the
same reason the principle (if any) of the right to ask for a review of
B water allocations would not apply. The decree was not based on the
Punjab Settlement. It was noted that the parties had acted on the
agreement and that despite the fact that Punjab sought to reopen the
agreement in so far as it related to the quantum of water to be shared
between the two States, the construction of the SYL canal remained
C undisputed. (880-F; 881-E-F; 882-B-C-D-E-F[
4.3. It is evident that the Punjab Settlement was referred to as a
piece of evidence that the parties had kept the co:istruction of the canal
distinct from the disputes relating to the sharing of river waters
between the two States. If the other clauses in the Punjab settlement
D are allegedly not being complied with by Haryana that is not a
challenge of circumstance or ground for modification of the decree.
The change to Section 14 of the Inter State Water Disputes Act is also
inapposite to the question of modification of the decree. It has not been
averred that either of the two grounds which founded the decree have
E in any sense of the word "changed". [883-A-B-C[

4.4. Since the plaint in the present suit does not even exfacie fulfil
all four conditions subject to which decree may be modified, there is
no legal right to apply for modification of the decree with the meaning
F of Article 131. Hence, there lies no "cause of action" within the
meaning of Article 131 as far as the prayers relating to the discharge
of the injunction granted by the decree is concerned. (883-E-Fl

5.1. The doctrine of res judicata and Order XXXII Rule 2 are not
technical rules of procedure and the fundamental to the administration
G of justice in all Courts that there must be an end of litigation. Since
the doctrine of res judicata is an essential part of the rule of law it
follows that if the issues raised in the suit are barred by res judicata
exfacie then this Court is required to reject the plaint in terms of Order

H
XXIII Rules 6(b) of the Rules. There is no substance in the submission
of Punjab that even when there is no dispute of fact the issue of res
-
STATE v. STATE 855
judicata should be left for consideration at the trial of the suit. The A
same objection relates to the challenge to Section 78 of the Punjab
Reorganization Act. But there is an additional ground apart from res
judicata for holding that the issue as to the constitutional validity of
Section 78 cannot be raised. The State of Punjab had earlier filed a
suit, in this Court challenging the validity of section 78 of the Punjab B
Reorganisation Act. 1883-D; 887-H; 888-A-B-C-Dl

Surayya v. Balagangadhar, AIR (1948) PC 3, referred to.

Daryao v. State of UP., (19621 I SCR 574 and Cauve1y Water
Disputes Tribunal, 11993) Suppl. I SCC 96 (ii), relied on. C

5.2. Rule 2 Order XXXII of the Rules allows a plaintiff to file a
fresh suit in respect of the same subject matter as in the earlier withdrawn
suit subject to certain conditions. However, in the order allowing the
earlier suit to be withdrawn no such conditions are present. Consequently D
a fresh suit in respect of the same subject matter viz., the validity of
section 78 of the 1988 Act does not lie. Similarly the challenge to Section
14 of the 1956 Act is rejected at the threshold. The notification was
issued under Section 14 of the Inter-States Water Disputes Act. There
was no dispute raised as to the constitutionality of Section 14 at any E
stage. This Court in its judgment dated 15th January 2002 considered
the arguments of the parties relating to Section 14 and negatived Punjab's
submission as to the construction of the said Section. Punjab could have
challenged the constitutional validity of Section 14 in its written
statement. It did not then. It cannot do so now being barred by the F
doctrine of res judicata. (889-A-B-C-D-E-F-; 890-E-F-G; 891-D)

5.3. It is well established that constitutional invalidity of a
statutory provision can be made either on the basis of legislative
incompetence or because the statute is otherwise violative of the
provisions of the Constitution. Neither the reason for the particular G
enactment nor the fact that the reason for the legislation has become
redundant, would justify the striking down of the legislation or for
holding that a statute or statutory provision is ultra vires. At least prima

- facie acceptable grounds in support have to be pleaded to sustain the
challenge. In the absence of any such pleading the challenge to the H
856 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004) SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A constitutional \'alidity of a statute or statutory provision is liable to be
rejected in limine. (892-F-G-Hl

S.4. The grounds given in support of Punjab's challenge to Article
14 are exfacie no grounds in law and no "cause of action" has been
B disclosed to challenge the constitutional validity of Section 14 of the
I 9S6 Act. Not only does the plaint filed by Punjab disclose any cause
of action, but it is also evident from the statements in the plant that
the suit is barred by law. (893-B-CI

S.S. Punjab, instead of accepting the decree in good grace, has
C taken every possible step to thwart the decree. There was no stay granted
by this Court at any stage of any of the vari~us proceedings filed assailing
the decree. Even when the final assault was made by it in filing a S'!it,
this Court did not grant any stage and it is basic law that the mere filing
of proceedings does not operate as a stay. The correspondence and the
D record of minutes show that the Chief Minister of Punjab as well as the
Government officials have arrogated themselves the power of sitting as
a super-judicial body over this Court. (89S-H; 896-E-Fl

S.6. The Constitution provides for an ordered polity within this
E country to promote integrity of the country. When disputes arise
between States there are usually political underpinnings. The resolution
of such a dispute in favour of one party would invariably have a
political impact. Article 131 of the Constitution has given this Court
the exclusive jurisdiction to decide such a dispute strictly on legal
F considerations and in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution.
To resist the execution of the decree on the ground that it would have
a political fallout would result in subversion of the Constitution, an
endorsement of anarchy and the disintegration of the country. Apart
from rendering the provisions of Article 131 a dead letter such a stand
is contrary to Article 144 of the Constitution. It is not in the
G circumstances expected, that Governments whether at the Centre or
in the State, would not comply with the decree of this Court. By
refusing to comply with the decree of this Court under Article 131 not
only is the offending party guilty of contempt but the very foundation
of the Constitution which the people governing the State have sworn
H to uphold when assuming office and to which this country owes its
STATE v. STATE 857

continued existence, is shaken. It is the Constitutional duty of those A
who wield power in the States to create the appropriate political
climate to ensure a respect for the constitutional processes and not set
such processes at naught only to gain political mileage. The vague plea
relating to the possible rise of militancy by the construction of the
Canal is not an acceptable defence at all. 1896-G-H; 897-A-B-C; HJ B

Cauve1y Wa111r Disputes Tribunal, IJ993j Supp. 1 SCC 96 (ii),
followed.

5.7. The 1954 Order has been issued by the President in exercise
of powers under Article 142(1) of the Constitution. Punjab's objection C
to the maintainability of Haryana's application for execution because
of alleged non-compliance with paragraph 2(d) of the 1954 Order is
unsustainable. The mode of enforcement which may be specified under
clause 2(b) of the 1954 Order may be similar to the methods of
.execution legally provided in respect of decrees or orders of any Court, D
Tribunal or Authority. The specification of the mode may be done in
the decree itself or by a subsequent order made on an application of
any party to the proceeding. The decree in the case had not specified
the mode of execution. Haryana's application is expressed to be under
clause 2(b) of the 1954 Order. It cannot be said that Haryana's E
application is not maintainable. (898-C; 899-A-B-C-DJ

5.8. It is manifest that the suit has been filed by State of Punjab
with a view to subvert the decision of this Court with all the
disingenuousness of a litigant to resist its execution. In the circumstances, F
the suit is dismissed under Order XLVII Rule 6 of the Rules. (893-Dj

6. The residuary power under Section 5l(e) C.P.C. allows a Court
to pass orders for enforcing a decree in a manner which would give
effect to it. The period specified in the decree for completion of the
canal by Punjab is long since over. The Union of India has said that G
it had worked out a contingent action plan during this period. The
contingency, in the form of expiry of the one year period in January
2003 has occurred. It has not been told whether the contingency plan
has been put into operation. Although if appears that the Cabinet
Committee on Project Appraisals had approved the proposal for H
858 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A completion of the SYL canal by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
and the then Prime Minister directed the BRO to take over the work
for completion of the SYL Canal in the minimum time possible. After
the decree the Central Water Commission Officials have inspected the
canal. The report has assessed a minimum period of about two years
B for removing suit deposits, clearing of trees and bushes, completing the
damaged and balance works and making the canal functional. In the
circumstances, Union of India is directed to carry out its proposed
action plan within the specified time frame. (900-A-B-C-DI

C CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : LA. No. 4 In Or:ginal Suit
6 of 1996.

Under Article 131 of the Constitution of India.

WITH
D
I.A. Nos. 1-2 in Original Suit No. 1 of 2003.

Shanti Bhushan, V.A. Bobde, Ashok Kr. Aggarwal, A.G. ofHaryana,
K.K. Lahiri, Abhimeet Sinha, Gourav Kejriwal, Ms. Minakshi Nag, Amit
E Patnaik, Ejaz Maqbool. Keshav Mchan and Rajesh Mittal for the Petitioner.

F.S. Nariman, Harbhagwan Singh. Advocate General for State of
Punjab, Arun Kathpalia, Mohan V. Katarki, Subhash Shanna, G.S. Hooda,
Asst. Advocate General Punjab, Vinay K. Shailendra, R.S. Suri, Shailesh
F Madiyal and G.S. Sidhu for the Respondent in I.A. No. 4 in O.S. No. 6/
96 & Petitioner in O.S. No. 1/2003.

Mukul Rohtagi, Additional Solicitor General, Kailash Vasdev, S.
Wasim, A. Qadri, D.S. Mahara, Ajay Sharma, Sayed, Naqvi, Ms. Sushma
Suri, S.N. Terdal for Union oflndia, Ranji Thomas, Ms. Bharti Upadhyaya
G and V.N. Raghupathy for the State of Rajasthan.

Ms Kamini Jaiswal (NP) and Ms. Naresh Bakshi for the Union
Territory of Chandigarh.

H The Judgment of the Cou1i was delivered by
..
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 859

RUMA PAL, J.: Consequent of the creation of the State ofHaryana A
from the erstwhile State of Punjab, the question of appointment of the river
waters made available to the erstwhile State of Punjab between Haryana
and Punjab arose. A notification was issued by the Union of India on 24th
March, 1976 under Section 78 of Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, inter
alia dividing the river waters between the two States. The Sultej-Yamuna B
Link Canal Project covering about 214 KMs. was to be constructed through
the States of Punjab and Haryana. Out of the 214 KMs, 122 KMs were
to run through the territory of Punjab and 92 KMs through Haryana. The
cost of completion of the canal was to be met by the Central Government.
Haryana's portion of the canal was completed by June 1980. The State of C
Punjab had not completed its share of the canal although it had been paid
the amount necessary for the purpose as also for the recurring expenditure·
towards maintenance of the canal.

A suit was filed by the State of Haryana in 1979 being Suit No. I D
of 1979 in this Court under Article 131 of the Constitution seeking
completion of the construction of the canal. The State of Punjab also filed
a suit being Suit No. 2 of 1979 inter alia challenging Section 78 of the
Punjab Reorganisation Act and the notification dated 24th March 1976 by
which the river waters were directed to be shared between Haryana and E
Punjab. During the pendency of the suits, an agreement was entered into
between the States of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan in the presence of
the Prime Minister of India on 13th December 1981. The agreement, in
so far as it is relevant, provided that the Sutlej-Yamuna Canal Project
would be implemented in a time bound.manner. The canal and appurtenant
works in the Punjab territory were to be completed within a maximum F
period of two years from the date of the signing of the agreement. On the
basis of and after recording this agreement, the suits were allowed to be
withdrawn by this Court on 12th February, 1982.

The date for completion of the canal by Punjab in terms of the G
agreement dated 13th December, 1981 expired. The Punjab portion of the
Canal remained incomplete. The agreement was sought to be repudiated
by the State. A settlement was then arrived at on 5th November 1985
known as the 'Punjab Settlement' which dealt with the several disputes
between the State of Haryana and Punjab. For the present, we need only H
860 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A note clause 9 of the settlement. It reads :
"9. Sharing of River Waters

9.1. The farmers of Punjab. Haryana and Rajasthan will continue
B to get water not less than what they are using from the Ravi-Beas
system as on I. 7 .1985 waters used for consumptive purposes will
also remain unaffected. Quantum of usage claimed shall be
verified by the Tribunal referred to in para 9.2. below.

9.2. The claims of Punjab and Haryana regarding the shares in
c their remaining waters will be referred for adjudication to a
Tribunal to be presided over by a Supreme Court Judge. The
decision of this Tribunal will be rendered within six months and
would be binding on both parties. All legal and constitutional
steps required in this respect be taken expeditiously.
D
9.3. The construction ofSYL Canal shall continue. The canal shall
be completed by 15.8.1986."

In approval of the settlement and in terms of the first two clauses of
E clause 9 of the Settlement, Section 14 was added to the Inter-State Water
Disputes Act, 1956 and issues relating to the usage, share and allocation
of the Ravi-Beas waters were referred to the adjudication of the Waters
Tribunal by the Union of India under Notification dated 2nd April 1986.
The Tribunal submitted its report on 30th January 1987 inter alia allocating
F the Ravi-Beas Waters between Punjab and Haryana. An application was
made by Punjab before the Waters Tribunal for review of its decision. That
application is pending.

However, Clause 9.3. of the Settlement which was kept distinct from
the water disputes under Clauses 9.1. and 9.2. continued to operate. The
G State of Punjab completed about 90% of the construction of the canal, but
about 10% of the construction remained incomplete. The State ofHaryana
then filed a second suit being suit No. 6 of 1996 for :

(a) a decree declaring that the order dated 24.3.1976, the
H agreement of3 l.12. l 981 and the settlement of24.7.I 985 are
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 861

final and binding inter alia on the State of Punjab casting A
an obligation on Defendant No. I to immediately resta1t and
complete the po1iion of the Sutjej-Yamuna Link Canal
Project as also make it usable in all respects, not only under
the aforesaid order of 1976, agreement of 1981 and settlement
of 1985 but also pursuant to a contract established by B
conduct from 1976 till date.

(b) a decree of mandatory injunction compelling Defendant I
(failing which Defendant 2 by or through any agency) to
discharge its/their obligations under the said notification of C
1976, the agreement of 1981 and the settlement of 1985 and
in any case under contract established by conduct, by
immediately restarting and completing that p.ortion of the
Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Project in the State of Punjab and
otherwise making it suitable for use within a time bound
manner as may be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court to enable D
the State of Haryana to receive its share of Ravi and Beas
waters".

A written statement was filed by the State of Punjab questioning the
jurisdiction of this Cou1i under Article 262 of the Constitution of India. E
It was also contended that the suit was barred under Order XXIII Rule I
of the Code of Civil Procedure and under Order XXXll Rule 2 of the
Supreme Court Rules, 1966. According to the State of Punjab the
agreement dated 31st December 1981 was superseded by the sett lenient
dated 24th July 1986 which did not bind the State. It was averred that the
SYL canal was unnecessary because the State of Haryana was to get
F
additional water supply from other rivers and that the State of Haryana had
no right to the water from the river Ravi.

The Union of India in its written statement, apart from affirming the
facts as noted by us earlier, also stated that it was essential that the Punjab G
portion of the SYL canal be completed at the earliest.

After considering the material on record, on 15th January, 2002 this
Cou1t decreed the suit in favour of the State of Haryana and issued a
mendatory injunction directing the State of Punjab to complete the H
862 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A construction of the canal and make it functional within one year from the
date of the judgment. If within that period the canal was not completed
by the State of Punjab, the Union Government was directed to get it done
through its own agency as expeditiously as possible.

B The State of Punjab did not comply with this Court's decree and the
canal remains incomplete. On 8th January 2002, it filed an application for
review of the judgment and decree of this Court which we dismissed on
5th March 2002.

On 22nd March 2002, a writ petition under Article 32 was filed by
C Bharatiya. Kisan Union (W.P. No. 94 of 2004) claiming to be a registered
association of Indian citizens and seeking to question the decree and
purporting to raise issues relating to the availability of water of the Ravi-
Beas for allocation to the State of Haryana. An interlocutory application
was also filed for stay of the decree dated I 5th January 2002. The writ
D petition was dismissed by this Court on 10th Februry 2004.

On I 8th December 2002, an application was filed by Haryana for
implementation of the judgment and decree dated 15th January 2002. This
application was registered and numbered as I.A. No. I of2002 in Suit No.
6 of 1996.
E
On 13th January 2003, the State of Punjab filed a suit being Suit
No. I of 2003 for the following reliefs :

(a) discharge/dissohe the obligation to construct SYL Canal
imposed by the mandatory injunction decreed by this Hon 'ble
F
Court in its judgment/decree dated 15.01.2002 in OS No. 61
1996 for the reasons set out in the plaint;

(b) to declare that the judgment/decree dated 15.01.2002 in OS
No. 611996 is not binding or enforceable since the issues
G raised in that Suit could only have been decided by a
Constitution Bench in terms of Article 145(3) of Constitution
of India.

(c) To declare that Section 14 of the Act, 1956 is ultra-vires the
H Constitution of India;
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 863

(d) to declare that Section 14 of the Act 1956 is no longer A
enforceable for the reasons set out in the plant;

(e) to declare the Punjab Settlement (Rajiv-Longowal Accord)
is not enforceable under the changed circumstances as set
out in the Plaint :
B
in the alternative

in case it is held by this Hon'ble Court that the Punjab
Settlement dated 24.07 .1985 is an enforceable Agreement
., then direct enforceability and compliance ofother 10 issues C
and to keep in abeyance obligation to construct SYL canal
till other conditions set out in the settlement are implemented
and/or the Water Disputes arising from the reallocation of
Ravi-Beas waters are resolved under the Act, 1956.
D
(f) Declare that Section 78(1) of the Act, 1966 is ultra vires of
the Constitution of India, and that all acts, deeds and things
done pursuant thereto or in consequence thereof including
all Notifications, Agreement, etc. are null and void including
the notification dated 24.03.1976 and the Agreement dated E
31.12.1981 as non-est and void ab initio.

The State of Haryana then filed an application under Order XXIIJ
Rule 6 read with Order XL VII Rule 6 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1966
for rejection of the plaint alternatively for summary dismissal of the suit. F
The application, which has been numbered as I.A. No. 1 of2003 has been
opposed by Punjab inter alia contending that Order XXlll Rule 6(a) of the
Supreme Court Rules is unconstitutional.

Haryana's application for enforcement of the decree (I.A. 1 in O.S.
No. 6of1996) was sought to be amended in I.A. No. 3. The State of Punjab G
sought to file a counter affidavit to I.A.No. 1 in O.S. No. 1 of 1996 which
was numbered as I.A. No. 2. On 13th August 2003, the State
of Ha1yana filed a second application for a direction on the Union of
India to carry out its obligation under the decree since the period of one
year fixed by the decree had expired. This has been numbered as I.A. No H
864 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A 4 in OS I of 1996. In view of this last application of Haryana, I.A. Nos.
I, 2 and 3 in O.S. No. I of 1996 we.re dismissed as infructuous on 17th
December 2003.

At this stage, the State of Punjab filed a Writ Petition No. 30/2004
B for a declaration that Rule 6(a) of Order XXlll of the Supreme Court Rules,
1966 is 11/tra-vires the Constitution alternatively for a declaration that Rule
6(a) of Order XXlll cannot be invoked in suits filed under Article 131 of
the Constitution of India. This writ petition was not entertained in view of
the fact that the same issues had been raised by the State of Punjab in
C answer to the application of the State of Haryana under Order XXIII Rule
6 of the Supreme Court Rules.

Therefore, out of this welter of litigation what survives for disposal
is :

D (I) Haryana's application for enforcement of the decree dated
15th January 2002 (I.A. No. 4 in O.S. 6/1996);

(2) Punjab's suit inter alia challenging the decree dated 15th
January 2002 (0.S. 1/2003); and
E
(3) Haryana's application for rejection of the plaint in Punjab's
suit (I.A. I in O.S. 1/2003).

Necessarily the last proceeding is required to be disposed of at
F the outset because on the outcome of this application will depend the
fate of the second proceeding which may in turn have an impact on the
first.

!A. No. I in O.S. I of 2003.

G Order XXIII Rule 6 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1966 under which
I.A. 1 of 2003 has been filed provides :

"The plaint shall be rejected :

H (a) where it does not disclose a cause of action.
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 865

(b) where the suit appears from the statement in the plaint A
to be barred by any law.'·

According to Haryana, a suit to set aside a decree of this Court, as
Suit No. I of 2003 purports to do, is not maintainable under Article 131
of the Constitution. It is also submitted that the suit seeks to raise water B
disputes which are not capable of being entertained by this Cou11 by virtue
of Article 262 of the Constitution and that the prayer (c) to (f) were barred
by the doctrine of resjudicata. Additionally, it has been urged that the State
of Punjab could not competently challenge the vires of Section 78 of the
Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1986, apart from the fact that under Order C
XXXll Rule 2 of the Rule the issue having been raised in OS 2 of 1979
could. not after its withdrawal, be raised again. Punjab's challenge to
Section 14 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 is also stated to be
barred by estoppel because Punjab had submitted to the jurisdiction of the
Tribunal, suffered an Award and made an application under Section 5(3)
of the Act before the Tribunal which was still pending. It has been D
submitted that the plaint did not disclose any cause of action and had been
filed in abuse of process of this Court and that this Court should not
countenance such frivolous and vexatious litigation and should dismiss the
suit under Order XL VII Rule 6 of the Rules.
E
In answer, the State of Punjab has submitted that it had a legal right
to resist execution of the decree by reason of changed circumstances which
right could only be enforced under Article 131 by way of a suit. It is said
that the constitutional remedy available to the States or Union under Article
131 was extraordinary in character and the requirement of a cause of action F
could not be imported into Article 131. It is submitted that Order XX111
Rule 6(a) of the Supreme Court Rules which allowed the rejection of the
plaint on the ground of non-disclosure of a cause of action was ultra vires
Article 131. Reliance has been placed on the decisions of this Court in State
of Karnataka v. Union of India, [1977] 4 SCC 609, p. 690, 709 as well
the decision in State of Karnataka v. State of A.P., [2000] 9 sec 572 in G
support of this submission. The ground that Rule 6(a) suffers from "over
exclusive classification" and was otherwise violative of Article 14 was
however not pressed. It is further submitted that the judgment of this Court
dated 15th January 20.Q2 decided a water dispute and that the decision of
'·.
this Court in dismissing the review application filed by the State of Punjab H

1
866 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A was wrong. As far as the question of res judicata is concerned. it is >
submitted that that is an issue to be decided in the suit and not by way of
an application under Order XXlll Rule 6 of the Rules. Punjab has also
submitted that Haryana's application for rejection of the plaint should be
heard by the Bench of three Judges. It may be mentioned that by an Order
B dated 1st Januaiy 2004, Haryana's application was directed by the learned
Chief Justice to be listed before a Bench of which one of us (Ruma Pal,
J.) is a member. By a subsequent order date 14th January 2004, the question
whether the application for rejection of the plaint should be heard by Bench
of three judges was left to the same Bench to decide.

c There is no legal provision by which the issues raised by Haryana in
its application is required to be heard by a Bench of three judges. On the
other hand the suit filed by Punjab seeks modification of a decree. That
decree was passed by a Bench of two judges. The nonnal rule is that an
application for modification of the decree or order is to be made before
D the Bench which passed the decree or order. Merely because the litigating
parties are States, would not alter this position. In any event we are not
of the view that any such issue has been raised which requires detennination
by a larger Bench. This submission of the State of Punjab, therefore, is
rejected.
E
It is also our opinion that Punjab's challenge to Order XXlll Rule
6(a), even if successful, would not result in dismissal of Haryana's
application because the grounds made out for rejection under Order XXIII
Rule 6 pertain not only to clause (a) but also to clause (b) thereof. Haryana
F has also invoked this Court's powers under Order XL VII Rule 6 which
provides that :

"Nothing in these rules shall be deemed to limit or otherwise
affect the inherent powers of the Court to make such orders as may
be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the
G process of the Court.

Besides the challenge to clause (a) of Rule 6 of Order XXIII is
unsustainable. Article 131 of the Constitution which has clothed this Court
with exclusive original jurisdiction to decide any dispute (a) between the
H Government oflndia and one or more States or (b) between the Government
STATEv. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 867

of India and any State or States on one side and one or more States on the A
other, or ( c) between two or more States, has laid down as a condition for
the exercise of such jurisdiction, that the dispute must involve any question
(whether of any law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal
right depends. It is evident that the phrase "cause of action" as occurring
in Order XXlll Rule 6(a) does not appear in Article 131. The phrase, which B
occurs in Section 20 of the Code of Civil Procedure and is commonly used
in connection with 'ordinary' suits, has, in that context,

"acquired a judicially-settled meaning. In th.e restricted sense
cause of action means the circumstances forming the infraction
of the right or the immediate occasion for the action. In the wider C
sense, it means the necessary conditions for the maintenance of
the suit, including not only the infraction of the right, but the
infraction coupled with the right itself. Compendiously, the
expression means every fact which it would be necessary for the
plaintiff to prove, if traversed, in order to support his right to the D
judgment of the Court. Every fact which is necessary to be proved,
as distinguished from every piece of evidence which is necessary
to prove each fact, comprises in cause of action"'.

Doubtless, a suit under Article 131 is not an 'ordinary' suit, and the E
phrase "cause of action" is conspicous by its absence in the Article. But
the argument that by the use of the phrase in Order XXIII Rule 6(a), the
burden and limitations created by judicial interpretation of the phrase in
connection with 'ordinary' suits are necessarily introduced, shackling an
otherwise exclusive jurisdiction, is unacceptable. The phrase, in our
opinion, as occurring i.n Order XXIII Rule 6(a), will have to be read and F
construed in the context of Article 131 unimpaired by the meaning
judicially given to it in other contexts. Literally, the phrase means nothing
more than the 'ground to sue'. Construed in this sense can it be said that
there is no requirement of disclosing a ground to sue in a suit under Article
131? G

.
Article 131 has been the subject matter of interpretation by this Court
in several decisions of which Punjab has sought to rely on two. The first
is the decision in State of Rajasthan V. Union of India, (1977] 3 sec 592
I. Rajasrhan High Court Advocates. Association V. Union of India, [200,1) 2 sec 204. H
868 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A which pertained to six suits filed by the States of Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa challenging a letter
written by the Union Home Minister to the Chief Ministers of those States
on the ground that the letter constituted a threat of action under Article 356
of the Constitution. The Union of India raised a preliminary objection that
B on the allegations made in the plaint, no suit would lie under At1icle 131
of the Constitution. All six suits were dismissed by a majority of six of
the seven Judges constituting the Bench. Among the six, four (Beg CJ,
Goswami, Untwalia, and Fazl Ali, JJ.) upheld the preliminary objection of
the Union of India. Two (Chandrachud and Bhagwati, JJ.) held that the suit
was maintainable but decided against the plaintiff on merits. We are bound
c by the majority view. The reasons for holding that the suit was not
maintainable given by Beg, C.J. were :

''Having considered the cases set out in the plaints and the
petitions before us, from every conceivable angle, I am 1.mable to
D find a cause of action for the grant of any injunction or a writ or
order in the nature of a Mandamus against any of the Defendants
Opposite parties".

The Learned Chief Justice went on to say :
E
''In my opinion, perhaps the technically more correct order, in the
situation before us would have been, on the findings reached by
me, one rejecting the plaints under Order XXIII Rule 6 of the
Rules of this Court, and rejecting the writ petitions in limine. After
all, we had not proceeded beyond the stage of hearing certain
F preliminary objections put forward by Mr. Soli Sorabji, Additional
Solicitor General, to the maintainability of the suits and petitions
0
before us. Although, we heard very full arguments on these
preliminary objections, we did not even frame any issues which
is done, under the provisions of Part III of the Rules of this Court,
G applicable to the exercise of the Original Jurisdiction of this Court,
before we generally formally dismiss a suit. However, as the form
in which we have already passed our orders, dismissing the suit
and petitions, which was approved by us on April 29, 1977, has
substantially the same effect as the rejection of the plaints for
H failure to disclose a triable cause of action".
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 869

The majority view dismissed the suit under clause (a) of Rule 6 of A
Order XX!ll. The phrase ;'cause of action" \\;as considered with reference
to Article 131 as meaning a dispute involving a question of fact or law on
which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

The Second decision relied upon by the State of Punjab in this context B
is the State ofKarnataka v. Union ofIndia, [ 1977) 4 SCC 608. The decision
followed within a few months of the decision in State ofRajasthan v. Union
ofIndia (supra). The subject matter of controversy was a notification issued
by the Central Government constituting a Commission of!nquiry under the
Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 to inquire into charges of corruption,
nepotism, favourtism and misuse of Government power against the Chief C
Minister and other Ministers of the State ofKarnataka. The Union of India
raised the preliminary objection that the suit was not maintainable under
Article 131 because the inquiry was against the Chief Minister and other
individuals and not against the State. Although the suit was dismissed on
merits by a majority opinion of the Judges, there was again a division D
within the majority on the question whether the preliminary objection of
the Union of India should be upheld. Beg, CJ, Chandrachud and Bhagwati
JJ. held the suit was maintainable. Untwalia. Shinghal and Jaswant Singh
JJ. held it was not. There was a division of opinion on the question as to
whether there was a dispute within the meaning of Article 13 I. But all the E
Judges considered the question of maintainability of the suit filed by the
State of Karnataka under Order XXIII Rule 6(a) by reading ;;cause of
action" in the context of Article 13 las meaning 'a dispute involving any
question on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends' or as
the pre-condition subject to which the suit could properly be filed under F
that Article. In other words, the phrase 'cause of action' in the context of
Article 131 was read as nothing more than 'the ground or basis to sue'.
Chandrachud, J. makes this clear when he expounded the scope of Article
131 and said :

"The jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by Article 131 G
of the Constitution should not be tested on the anvil of banal rules
which are applied under the Code of Civil Procedure for determining
whether a suit is maintainable. Article 131 undoubtedly confers
'original jurisdiction' on the Supreme Court and the commonest
form of a legal proceeding which is tried by a Court in the exercise H
870 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004) SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A of its original jurisdiction is a suit. But a constitutional provision,
which confers exclusive jurisdiction on this Court to entertain
disputes ofacertain nature in the exercise of its original jurisdiction,
cannot be equated with a provision conferring a right on a Civil
Court to entertain a common suit so as to apply to an original
B proceeding under Article 131 the canons of a suit which is
ordinarily triable under Section 15 of the Code of Civil Procedure
by a Court of the lowest grade competent to try it. Advisedly, the
Constitution does not describe the proceeding which may be
brought under Article 131 as a 'suit' and significantly, Article 131

c uses words and phrases not commonly employed for determining
the jurisdiction of a Court of first instance to entertain and try a
suit. It does not speak of a 'cause of action', a expression of
known and definite legal import in the world of witness actions.
Instead, it employs the word 'dispute', which is no part of the
elliptical jargon of law. But above all, Article 131 which in a
D
manner of speaking is a self contained code on matters falling
within its purview, provides expressly for the condition subject to
which an action can lie under it. That condition is expressed by
the clause : "'if and in so far as the dispute involves any question
(whether oflaw or fact) on which the existence or extent ofa legal
E right depends ... By the very tenns of the article, therefore the sole
condition which is required to be satisfied for invoking the
original jurisdiction of this Court is that the dispute between the
parties referred to in clauses (a) to (e) must involve a question on
which the existence or extent of a legal right depends,..
F
This "cause of action' under Order XXlll Rule 6(a) is this 'sole
condition' which is required to be satisfied before the jurisdiction of this
Court can be invoked under Article 131. lfthe plaint does not ex/acie show
the fulfilment of that condition, it would not be maintainable. This follows
G from the language of Article 131 itself. Therefore merely because the
phrase "cause of action" has been used in order XXlll Rule 6(a) does not
mean that principles enunciated in the context of Section 20 of the Code
of Civil Procedure are imported. Order XXlll Rule 6(a) only gives effect
to limitations implicit in Article 131 itself. It follows that it does not violate
H Article 131 or any other provision of the Constitution.
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 871

The application under Order XXIII Rule 6 of the Rules is by way A
of demurrer. The question whether the plaint should be rejected
must therefore be decided on the basis of the allegations contained in the
plaint.2

Paragraphs 2 and 7 of the plaint record the substance and content of B
a complaint filed by the plaintiff on 11th January, 2003 under Section 3
of the 1956 Act relating to reallocation of the Ravi-Beas waters. Both
paragraphs conclucle with the identical statement -

"The Plaintiff has every chance of success in the re-allocation to C
reduce the share of Haryana and therefore, the question of SYL
construction may not arise for consideration at all".

In paragraph 3, the plaintiff has said that the obligation to construct
the Canal Basin had been imposed on the plaintiff on the basis of the Punjab
settlement but neither the State of Haryana nor the Union of India had D
performed any of the other obligations imposed upon them under the
settlement. Paragraph 4 which has as many as 18 sub-paragraphs sets out
the historical background to the facts claimed to be relevant for the
purposes of the present suit. Similarly, paragraph 5 records the proceedings
O.S . .6196 culminating in the decree. Paragraph 6 says that the directions E
in the decree dated 15.1.2002 were liable to be discharged by reason of
changed circumstances, the changed circumstance being "the allocation of
water made hithertobefore is liable to be reviewed". Up to this stage, there
is no other "change of circumstance" pleaded apart from the filing of a
complaint under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 and the change F

..
of success.

In paragraph 8, the plaintiff has given the grounds for seeking
discharge of the injunction granted on 15.1.2002. These pertain to the
availability of water for appointment between the Punjab and Haryana. It
is stated that there is no water available for transfer through the SYL Canal. G
The second ground is a decision of this Court in writ petition No. 512/2002
on 31.10.2002 by which it is claimed, this court had directed completion
of the net working of the rivers. Among the projects identified by the Union
of India was the Sharda-Yamuna Link, as a result of which, according to
...
2. See: D.Ramachandran v. R.V. Janakiraman. [1999] 3 SCC 267, 271. H
872 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A the plaintiff, Haryana would get more water and there was no question of
burdening the "deficit Ravi-Beas Basin." The third ground is that an issue
had been raised in the complaint filed by the plaintiff under Section 3 of
the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, as to the rights of Haryana and
Rajasthan to the rivers waters as non riparian States. The next ground is
B that Haryana had declined to abide by the other terms of the Punjab
settlement. The last ground is that water allocations were subject to review.
This is followed by arguments in support of the last submission with
reference to diverse authorities.

In paragraphs 9, I 0 and 17 the plaintiff has challenged the decree
C dated 15th January, 2002 on the ground that it was violative of Articles
145(3) and 262 of the Constitution and Pragraph 18 questions the
correctness of the order dismissing, the plaintiffs Review Petition. Paragraph
19 contains an assertion that the construction of the SYL Canal was a water
dispute. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 14 set out the grounds for challenge
D to Section 78(1) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Paragraph 15
gives grounds for claiming the invalidity of Section 14 of the ln<er-State
Water Disputes Act, 1956. Paragraph 16 refers to correspondence exchanged
with the Chief Ministers of the two States relating to the "changed
circumstances" being the "remaining aspect" of the Punjab Settlement.
E Paragraph 20 contains arguments as to why this Court has jurisdiction to
entertain the suit. Paragraph 21 relates to the dates on which the alleged
cause of action arose and paragraph 2'2 relates to the question of limitation.

An analysis of the averments in the plaint shows that the entire thrust
F of the suit tiled by the State of Punjab is aimed. at the decree dated 15th
January 2002 in O.S. No. 6 of 1996. One portion of the plaint relates to
the discharge of the injunction granted by the decree by reason of"changed
circumstances". The second portion challenges the decree as being un-
constitutional.
·-
-
G The first question to be answered is: do these disputes mvolve any
question (whether legal or factual) on which the existence or extent of a
legal right of the plaintiff depends? If it does then the next question is,
whether the raising of such disputes is barred by any law? If any of these
questions is answered in the affinnative then the plaint must be rejected
H as a whole. On the other hand, if any part of the dispute crosses both
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 873

hurdles, the suit must survive because there cannot be a partial rejection A
of the plaint. (See D. Ramachandran v. RV. Janakiraman, [1999] 3 SCC
267).

The primary consideration in answering the first question is the legal
right claimed by the plaintiff. Unless the plaintiff can establish that there B
is such a right in law, there would be no question of this Court deciding
any dispute regarding the extent or existence of such right under Article
131. As was said by Bhagwati, J. (as His Lordship then was) in State of
Rajasthan v. Union of India, (supra) :

"Now, plainly there are two limitations in regard to the dispute C
which can be brought before the Supreme Court under Article
131. One is in regard to parties and the other is in regard to the
subject matter ........................ The (other) limitation as to subject
matter flows from the words "If and in so far as the dispute
involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the D
existence or extent of a legal right depends". These words clearly
indicate that the dispute must be one affecting the existence or
extent of a legal right and not a dispute on the political plane not
involving a legal aspect. It was put by Chandrachud, J., very aptly
in his judgment in the State ofRajasthan v. Union ofIndia, (supra) E
when he said : "Mere wrangles between Governments have no
place under the scheme of that article ..... :. It is only when a legal,
as distinguished from a mere political, issue arises touching upon
the existence or extent of a legal right that the article is attracted.
Hence the suit in the present case would obviously not be F
maintainable unless it complies with both these limitations."

The plaintiff in the present case claims that the legal right in question
1s the right to have an injunction modified by reason of changed
circumstances. Several decisions both Indian and of the United States have
been cited in support of this proposition. Before we consider these G
a-.ithorities it must be kept in mind that as far as this country is concerned
the general law relating to injunctions is contained in Sections 36 to Section
42 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963. Although these provisions may not
limit the powers of this Court under Article 131 nevertheless they provide
. valuable guidelines as to the nature of this form of equitable relie£ An H
874 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A injunction may be pennanent (perpetual) or temporaryl. A permanent
injunction is final and conclusive of the facts in the context of which the ...
injunction is granted. A temporary injunction by contrast is granted on a
prima facie view of the facts and, as the word 'temporary' itself indicates,
is an interim order pending a final adjudication of the rights of the parties.
B This distinction is not to be confused with the distinction between a
prohibitory or preventive injunction on the one hand and a mandatory
injunction on the other. In the first case a party is prevented from doing
a particular thing or continuing with a particular action•. A mandatory
injunction on the other hand commands an act to be done and is provided
C for under Section 39 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 which reads :
"Mandatory injunctions - When, to prevent the breach of an
obligation, it is necessary to compel the perfonnance of certain
acts which the court is capable of enforcing, the court may in its
discretion grant an injunction to prevent the breach complained
D of, and also to compel perfonnance of the requisite acts".

This command may direct the restoration of status-quo ante or may
direct the performance of a positive act altering the existing state of things'.
A mandatory injunction like a preventive injunction may be temporary or
E final.

All the decisions cited by Punjab in its plaint pertain to cases where
the decree sought to be modified was a perpetual or continuing preventive
injunction.

F Thus, in Albert H Ladner v. Clarence R. Siegel, 68 ALR 1172 at the
instance of adjoining landowners, a decree had been passed preventing the
defendant, Siegel, from using the building proposed to be constructed by
him for garage purpose. The injunction was granted on the basis that the
area was exclusively residential and that the .proposed business would give
G rise to gases and odour affecting the neighbourhood. -Subsequent to the
decree, Siegel applied for modification on the ground that he did not wish
to operate the garage but merely wished to use the premises to park the

3. Specific Relief Act. 1963 Section 36
4. (ibid) Section 38.
H 5. Kerr on Injunctions 6th Edn. p.40.
STATE v. STATE (RUMA PAL, J.] 875
cars of his tenants. The lower Court modified the earlier decree. \he A
adjacent landowners' appealed. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the
appeal and said :

"There are many equitable proceedings that illustrate the general
rule, such as specific performance, bills to reform instruments, and B
others. A final decree in such equitable proceeding is unchangeable,
except possibly through gross mistake to be corrected by a bill of
review, and not then if any intervening right has appeared since
entering the decree. In all such proceedings the decree calls for
definite action, and the law presumes much action to follow the C
f order.

"But though a decree may be final, as it relates to an appeal and
all matters included or embodied in such a step, yet, where the
proceedings are of a continuing nature, it is not final. These are
exceptions to the general rule, and to determine them the nature D
and character of the equitable action must be considered : that
is, whether, the decree is final for the purpose of execution, or
contemplates other and further steps in the administration of
justice".
E
"An injunction is the form of equitable proceeding which protects
civil rights from irreparable injury, either by commanding acts to
be done, or preventing their commission, there being no adequate
remedy at law. Granting an injunction rests in the sound discretion
of the court, that discretion to be exercised under well-established F
principles, and there are no statutory limitations on the power of
the court in relation thereto. While the decree in such action is an
adjudication of the facts and the law applicable thereto, it is none
the less executory and continuing as to the purpose or object to
be attained; in this it differs from other equitable actions. It
operates until vacated, modified, or dissolved. An injunction G
contemplates either a series of continuous acts or a refraining from
action. A preventive injunction constantly prevents one party from
doing that which would cause i1Teparable damage to his neighbour's
.. property rights. The final decree continues the life of such
proceedings, not .only for the purpose of execution, but for such H
876 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A other relief as a chancellor may in good conscience grant under
the law. --
The modification of a decree in a preventive injunction is inherent
in the court which granted it, and may be made, (a) if, in its
discretion judicially exercised, it believes the ends of justice
B
would be served by a modification, and (b) where the law,
common or statutory, has changed, been modified or extended,
and (c) where there is a change in the controlling facts on which
the injunction rested".
(Emphasis supplied)
c
The next decision cited is United States of America v. Swift & '
Company, 286 US I 05, 76 L.ed. 999 where the Governm.!nt had filed
proceedings against five meat packers to dissolve a monopoly on, inter-
alia, the ground that the defendants had not only suppressed competition
D but were speading their monopoly into other fields of trade. A consent
decree was passed preventing the defendants from maintaining a monopoly
and entering into or continuing in combination in restraint of trade and
commerce. There were further clauses which prevented the defendants
from carrying out the specified type of activity severally and jointly. The
E decree closed with a provision whereby jurisdiction of the court was
retained for the purpose of taking such other action or such other relief"as
may become necessary or appropriate for the carrying out and enforcement"
thereof, "and for the purpose of entertaining at any time hereafter any
application which the parties may make" with reference thereto. An
F application was made before the lower Court by an intervenor for vacating
the decree on the ground oflack of jurisdiction. The operation of the decree
was suspended by an interim order. On an appeal preferred by the
Government and by the wholesale grocers, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed
the appeals. In the course of the judgment it was said :

G "Power to modify the decree was reserved by its very terms, and
so from the beginning went hand in hand with its restraints. If the
reservation had been omitted, power there still would be by force
of pri.nciples inherent in the jurisdiction of the chancery. A
continuing decree of injunction directed to events to come is
H subject always to adaptation as events may shape the need''. ( 114)
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 877

A distinction was made between restraints that give protection to A
rights fully accrued upon facts so nearly permanent as to be substantially
impervious to change, and those that involve the supervision of changing
conduct or conditions and are thus provisional and tentative. The Court,
however, made it clear that in proceedings for modification of a decree,
the decree itself be impeached and that the Court is ;'not at liberty to reverse B
under the guise of re-adjusting".

Santa Rita Oil Company v. State Board ofEqualization, 126 ALR 757
was a case in which a decree of injunction had been granted restraining
the computation, assessment, levying and collection of certain taxes on oil C
and gas products' under a lease of trust patent Indian lands on the ground
that the plaintiff was an instrumentality of the Federal Government and
was, therefore immune from taxation by the State. The decision was based
upon earlier decisions of the US Supreme Court. In other words, the
injunction granted was a continuing on one the basis of the law as it then
stood. The US Supreme Court subsequently took a cont~ary view and over- D
ruled the earlier decisions. The question was whether with the change in
the legal basis of the earlier decree, the earlier decree would continue to
operate. In that context it was held :

;'A final or permanent injunction is a continuing process over E
which the equity court necessarily retains jurisdiction in order_ to
do equity. And if the court of equity later finds that the law has
changed or that equity no longer justifies the continuance of the
injunction, it may and should free the defendant's hands from the
fetters by which until then its activities have been prevented, thus F
leaving it free to perform its lawful duties." (Emphasis supplied)

Similarly, the decision in Coca Cola Company v. Standard Bottling
Company, 138 F.2d 788 was in connection with the power of Court to
modify a decree which sought to prevent the defendant from ,carrying on G
business in a certain manner.

In System Federation No. 91, Railway Employees Dept. v. 0. V.
Wright, 364 US 642, 5 Led. 2d 349, 81 S Ct. 368, a decree was passed
at the instance of non-union rail employees against the railroad and railroad
labour union from discriminating against them by reason of the plaintiffs' H
878 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A refusal to join or retain membership in any labour organisation. Here again,
a decree was passed against the defendants perpetually preventing a course
of action in the light of a statutory prohibition. There was a subsequent
change in the statute. On the basis of this change, the union made an
application for modification of the decree. The application was allowed and
B it was said.
''The source of the power to modify is of course, the fact that an
injunction often requires continuing supervision by the issuing
court and always a continuing willingness to apply its powers and
processes on behalf of the party who obtained that equitable relief.
c Firmness and stability must no doubt be attributed to continuing
injunctive relief based on adjudicated facts and law, and neither
the plaintiff nor the court should be subjected to the unnecessary
burden ofre-establishing what has once been decided. Nevertheless
the court cannot be required to disregard significant changes in
law()(' facts if it is "satisfied that what it has been doing has been
D
turned through changing circumstances into an instrument of
wrong" United States v. Swift & Co. Supra (286 US at 114, 115).
A balance must thus be struck between the policies ofres judicata
and the right of the court to apply modified measures to changed
circumstances".
E
Coming to the .Indian cases cited by the respondent, the first is a
decision of the Lahore High Court in Kha:::an Singh v. Rafla Ram, AIR
(1937) Lahore 839. In that case, a decree had been passed protecting by
way of injunction an easement in respect of a window and a "parnala". An
F easement by definition implies continuity. The house of the plaintiff was
re-built and the window was re-located. In view of this changed circumstance,
it was held that the easement did not continue in respect of the window
but continued in respect of the "parnala".

Yashpal Singh v. VIII Addi. District Judge and Others, [1992] 2 SCC
G 504, was a case arising out of two conflicting orders of injunction. The
respondent No. 3 had in that case obtained a decree injuncting the Forest
Department and the State of U.P. from interfering with the rights to cut
trees on a plot of land which he claimed belong to him. The decree
therefore continuously prevented the defendants from interfering with the
H respondent No. 3 's right. A third party filed a civil suit against the ,..
STATE v:STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 879

respondent No. 3 and obtained an interim injunction restraining the A
respondent No. 3 from cutting trees from the plot of land which she
claimed belonged to her. The respondent No. 3 allegedly disobeyed
the order of interim injunction. The plaintiff in the second suit
obtained the help of the local police to restrain the respondent No. 3
from removing the trees. The respondent No. 3 filed an application for B
execution of the decree obtained by him in his suit and in the
execution proceedings an order of attachment was passed in respect of the
property of the local police officer under the provisions of Order XXlll
Rule 32 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This Cou11 set aside the order of
the Executing Court on the police officer's appeal on two grounds, first C
because the police officer was no longer present in the District to obstruct
or continue obstructing the legal process, and second, because the police
officer could not be said to be a party against whom the decree for
injunction .had been passed merely because he was an employee of the State
of U.P.
D
The next decision cited by the plaintiff is Surinder Kumar v. Jshwar
Dayal, [ 1996] 3 SCC I 03 also pertained to a right under a decree
perpetually injuncting the defendant from constructing a window on a
common wall. On the finding that a new wall was constructed, it was held E
that the injunction did not continue to operate.

The final decision cited by the plaintiff is Municipal Board, Kishangarh
v. Chand Mal, [1999) 9 SCC 198. In this case a lessee had filed a suit to
restrain the Municipal Board from interfering with the construction on
leasehold land. Subsequent to the suit, the lease was terminated and the F
land was included within the municipality. This Court was of the view that
in such circumstances, the original decree permanently injuncting the
Board from interfering with the construction to be made by the lessee could
be considered.
G
The principles that emerge from these decisions are that

(a) There is a distinction between a final peremptory injunction
and a final decree which requires a continuous course of
action.
H
880 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A (b) A decree granting a preventive injunction continuously
operates to prevent a course of action and

(c) Such a decree may be modified prospectively if the
circumstances, whether of fact or law on which the decree
B is based, are substantially altered and

(d) Such a decree cannot be impeached or reopened.

It is only if the decree is one which grants a continuous injunction
C and if conditions (b), (c) and (d) are fulfilled that proceedings for
modification of the decree can be maintained.

In the present case the decree granted a final mandatory injunction.
Punjab's contention is that the injunction granted by this Court was
temporary merely because in the course of the judgment the Court said
D
"We have examined the materials from the standpoint of existence
of a prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable loss
and injury and we are satisfied that the plaintiff has been able to
establish each one of the aforesaid criteria and as such is entitled
E to the injunction sought for. This issue is accordingly answered
in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants".

A decree cannot reach a primafacie conclusion. The use of the phrase
'prima facie' was clearly an accident of language and does not detract from
F the conclusiveness of the finding and the finality of the mandate. It directed
the construction of a canal as a final adjudication of rights. This is apparent
from the following passage :

'' ........ we unhesitatingly hold that the plaintiff-State of Haryana
has made out a case of issuance of an order of injunction in the
G mandatory from against the State of Punjab to complete the
portion of SYL Canal, which remains incomplete and in the event
the State of Punjab fails to complete the same, then the Union
Government-Defendant 2 must see to its completion, so that the
money that has already been spent and the money which may
H further be spent could least at be utilized by the countrymen."
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 881

The operative portion of the judgment resolves any doubt as to the A
' > finality of the injunction by holding :

"We, therefore, by way of a mandatory injunction, direct the
defendant-State of Punjab to continue the digging of Sutlej-
Yamuna Link Canal portion of which has not been completed as B
yet and make the canal functional within one year from today. We
also direct the Government of India-Defendant 2 to discharge its
constitutional obligation in implementation of the aforesaid
direction in relation to the digging of canal and if with him a
period of one year SYL Canal is not completed by the defendant- C
State of Punjab, then the Union Government should get it done
through its own agencies as expeditiously as possible, so that the
huge amount of money that has already been spent and that would
yet be spent, will not "be wasted and the plaintiff-State ofHaryana
would be able to draw the full quantity of water that has already D
been allotted to its share."

The mandate in the decree was to carry out the obligations under
agreement dated 31st December, 1981. It did not envisage a "continuing
process over which the equity court necessarily retains jurisdiction in order
to do equity". Principle (b) relating to modification of decrees enunciated E
earlier is therefore absent.

In any event there has been no change in the circumstances on the
basis of which the decree was passed. Although there is a discussion on
the various issues while rejecting the submissions made by Punjab, F
ultimately the reasons for issuing the injunction were two. The first was
the agreement dated 31st December 1981 and the order of this Court
permitting the withdrawal of the two cross suits filed by Haryana and
Punjab (OS I of 1979 and OS 2 of 1979). This is apparent from the
following passage : G

"The State Government having entered into agreements among
themselves on the intervention of the Prime Minister of the
country, resulting in withdrawal of the pending suit in the
.._ Court, cannot be permitted to take a stand contrary to the H
882 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A agreements arrived at between themselves. We are· also of the
considered opinion that it was the solemn duty of the Central
.'
Government to see that the terms of the agreement are complied
with in toto ...

B The second was "(T)he (a)dmitted fact that for construction of the
Punjab portion of SYL Canal, more than Rs. 560 crores have already been
spent, as is apparent from Ext. P-13 and the entire money has been paid
by the Government of India ........... (M)ore than Rs. 700 crores of public
revenue cannot be allowed to be washed down the drain, when the entire
C portion of the canal within the territory of Haryana has already been
completed and major portion of the said canal within the territory of Punjab
also has been dug, leaving only minor patches within the said territory of
'
Punjab to be completed".

The decree was not based on the quantum of water that may be made
D available to Haryana. Therefore the fact that Punjab's complaint is pending
under Section 3 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 or that Haryana
may , in the future, be entitled to more water is immaterial. For the same
reason the principle (if any of the right to ask for a review of water
E allocations would not apply.

Nor was the decree based on the Punjab Settlement. It was noted that
the parties had acted on the agreement and that despite the fact that Punjab
sought to reopen the agreement dated 3 Ist December, 1981 in so far as
it related to the quantum of water to be shared between the two States under
F Paragraphs 9.1. and 9.2. of the Punjab Settlement, the construction of the
SYL canal under paragraph 9.3. canal remained undisputed. The Court
accepted Punjab submission that the Punjab Settlement was not binding on
the State but said :

G "having regard to the fact that in terms of paragraphs 9.1. and 9.2,
a Tribunal was constituted and even the provisions of the Inter-
State Water Disputes Act were amended, thereby granting
parliamentary recognition to the sub-called agreement, the terms

H
of the said agreement cannot be thrown out as a piece of paper
only".
...
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 883
It is evident that the Punjab Settlement was referred to as a piece of A
evidence that the parties had kept the construction of the canal distinct from
the disputes relating to the sharing of river waters between the two States.
If the other clauses in the Punjab settlement are allegedly not being
complied with by Haryana that is not a change of circumstance or ground
for modification of the decree passed on 15th January, 2002. The challenge B
to Section 14 of the Inter State Water Disputes Act, 1956 is also inapposite
to the question of modification of the decree. The section related to and
was in enforcement of paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 of the Punjab Settlement and
relates to the resolution of the water disputes between the States by the
Tribunal. Paragraph 9.3 which is related to the canal and referred to by the C
Court does not form part of Section 14. It has not been averred that either
of the two grounds which founded the decree have in any sense of the word
"changed". Principle ( c) is therefore unfulfilled.

And finally Principle (d): the suit for modification of the decree dated
15th January, 2002 will not lie because the decree itself has been sought D
to be impeached. "The injunction, whether right or wrong, is not subject
to impeachment in its application to the conditions that existed at its
making'.

In other words since the plaint in the present suit does not even ex E
facie fulfil all four conditions subject to which a decree may be modified,
there is no legal right to apply for modification of the decree dated 15th
Januarya, 2002 within the meaning of Article 131. We can therefore only
conclude that there is no "cause of action" within the meaning of Article
13 las far as the prayers relating to the discharge of the injunction granted
by the decree dated 12th January, 2002 is concerned. F
We then take up the direct challenge to the decree itself as being
unconstitutional. Two grounds have been pleaded in the plaint in this
connection :
G
(I) That it was a decision of two Judges whereas Article 145(3)
of the Constitution requires a minimum of five Judges "for
the purpose of deciding any case involving a substantial
question oflaw as to the interpretation of the Constitution ......".

6. Per Cardozo, J. United States v. Swift & Cu (supra). H
884 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A (2) The second ground is that the decree sought to resolve a
water dispute in contravention of Article 262 of the
Constitution.

Both the submissions are inter related. Article 145(3) was relied on
B because it was said that the scope of Article 131 and 262 had to be
interpreted. We had said in the judgment dated 15th January, 2002, that
in the Constitution Bench decision in State of Karnataka v. Slale of A.P.,
(2000] 9 SCC 572 this Court had considered the provisions of Article
262(2) of the Constitution and Section 11 and Section 2( c) of the Inter-
State Water Disputes Act and its impact on a suit filed under Article 131
C of the Constitution. By that decision two cross suits were disposed of(O.S.
No. 1/1997 by the State of Kamat aka v. State ofA.P. and O.S. No. 2/1997
by the State of A.P. v. State of Kamataka). Two separate judgments were
delivered. The State of A.P. had prayed for 14 reliefs but, the Court
observed, the reliefs essentially related to the construction of the Almatti
D Dam on the river Krishna by the State of Karnataka to a height of 524.056
metres. Several issues were framed (at p. 627). Issue No. 2 related to the
jurisdiction of this Court to entertain and try the suit under the provisions
of Article 262 of the Constitution and Sections 11 and 2(c) of the
Inter-State Water disputes Act, 1956. The issue was conceded by the
E State of Maharashtra which had raised the issue. Over and above that, the
Court was independently of the view (p. 640) that this Court had the
jurisdiction to entertain and hear the suit and answered issue 2 in the
affirmative.

F Punjab's review petition was dismissed by us on the ground that the
"so-called vital question with regard to the interpretation of Article 131 and
Article 262 has been answered in the Constitution Bench decision and we
are bound by the same." In the impugned judgment, we merely applied the
interpretation of the Constitution Bench of the provisions of Article 131
and 262 to the facts of the case. There was no further interpretation of
G Article 131 and 262 to be done in the case before us which required the
decision of a bench of five Judges under Article 145(5).

The objection as to the jurisdiction of this Court on the basis of Article

H
262 was specifically negatived in the judgment dated 15th January 2002
when it was held :
.
STATE v. STATE (RUMA PAL, J.] 885

" ........... the construction ofSYL Canal has absolutely no connection A
with the sharing of water between the States and as such is not
a "water dispute" within the meaning of Section 2(c) and
consequently the question of referring such dispute to a Tribunal
does not arise. In this view of the matter, howsoever wide meaning
the expression "water dispute" in Section 2(c) of the Inter-State B
Water Disputes Act be given, the construction of the canal which
is the subject-matter of dispute in the present suit cannot be held
to be a "water dispute" within the meaning of Section 2(c) of the
Act and as such, such. a suit is not barred under Article 262 of
the Constitution read with Section 11 of the Inter-State Water
_, Disputes Act". C

Can the State of Punjab raise these issues again? Or is it barred by
the principles of res judicata assuming that the principles of res judicata
are 'law' within the meaning of Order 26 Rule 6(b)?
D
The doctrine of res judicata and Order XXXII Rule 2 are not technical
rules of procedure and are fundamental to the administration of justice in
all Courts that there must be an end of litigation. Thus, when this Court
was called upon in Dmyao v. State of UP., 7 to hold that res judicata could
not apply in connection with proceedings before this Court under Article E
32 because of the extraordinary nature of the jurisdiction, it was said :

"But is the rule ofres judicata merely a technical rule or is it based
on high public policy? If the rule of res judicata itself embodies
a principle of public policy which in turn is an essential part of F
the rule of law then the objection that the rule cannot be invoked
where fundamental rights are in question may lose much of its
validity. Now, the rule ofres judicata as indicated ins. 11 of the
Code of Civil Procedure has no doubt some technical aspects, for
instance the rule of constructive res judicata may be said to be
technical; but the basis on which the said rule rests is founded on G
considerations of public policy. It is in the interest of the public
at large that a finality should attach to the binding decisions
pronounced by Courts of competent jurisdiction, and it is also in

7. 11962] I SCR 574, 582, 583 H
886 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A the public interest that individuals should not be vexed twice over
with the same kind of litigation. If these two principles form the
foundation of the general rule of res judicata they cannot be
treated as irrelevant or inadmissible even in dealing with
fundamental rights in petitions filed under Art. 32 ......... .

B
The binding character of judgments pronounced by courts
of competent jurisdiction is itself an e~sential part of the rule
of law, and the rule of law obviously is the basis of the
administration of justice on which the Constitution lays so much
emphasis'."'
c
This opinion was followed in the matter of Cauvery Water Disputes
Tribunal. [1993] 1 SCC 96 (II) and applied to suits under Article 131. The
factual background of that case was a dispute over the usage of the waters
of the river Cauvery between the States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The
D Union Government constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and
referred the disputes between the two States to the Tribunal. The State of
Tamil Nadu filed an application for interim relief. This was rejected by the
Tribunal on the ground that it did not have the jurisdiction to grant any
interim relief because that dispute had not been referred to it by the Central
E Government. Being aggrieved, the State of Tamil Nadu approached this
Court under Article 136. The Special Leave Petitions were converted into
Civil Appeals and disposed of by Order dated 26th April, 1991 by holding
that the order of Reference showed that the Central Government had in fact
referred the issue relating to interim relief to the Tribunal. The Tribunal
F then granted interim relief on Tamil Nadu's application. Kamataka
subsequently issued an Ordinance relating to the utilization of water of the
Cauvery and gave it overriding effect over any interim order of any Court
or Tribunal. The Ordinance was replaced by an Act. In the meanwhile a
suit was filed under Article 131 by the State of Karnataka against the State
of Tamil Nadu contending that the Tribunal's order granting imterim relief
G was without jurisdiction and, therefore, null and void etc. In the context
of these developments, the President referred three questions to this Court
for its opinion under Article 143 of the Constitution. Of the three questions,
question No. 3 raised the issue whether a Water Disputes Tribunal

H 8. ibid at p.584.
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 887

constituted under the Inter-state Water Disputes Act, 1956 was competent A
to grant any ;nterim relief to the pa11ies in the dispute. This Court
approached the question from two angles namely: (I) when no reference
of grant of interim relief is made to the Tribunal and (2) when such
reference is made it.

B
The Court held that by its earlier decision of 26th April, 1991 it had
been specifically held that the Central Government had made a reference
to the Tribunal for consideration of the claim for interim relief prayed for
by the State of Tamil Nadu. Implicit in the said decision was the finding
that the Central Government could refer the matter of granting interim
relief to the Tribunal for adjudication. Although the Court had in such C
earlier decision kept open the question whether the Tribunal would have
the power to grant interim relief when no reference was made, it was held
that the earlier decision had in terms concluded the second aspect of the
question. A submission was then made on behalf of the State of Karnataka
that the earlier directions in the Court's order dated 26th April, I 99 I should D
be declared as being without jurisdiction and void. This Court's decision
in A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak, [1998] 2 SCC 602, was relied on to contend
that this Court could rehear the issue earlier concluded. The decision was
distinguished by this Court and it was held that the facts in A.R. Antulay
are ·'peculiar and the decision has to be confined to those special facts". E
It was then held.

"It cannot be said that this Court had not noticed the relevant
provisions of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act. The Court after
perusing the relevant provisions of the Act which were undoubtedly F
brought to its notice, has come to the conclusion that the Tribunal
and jurisddion to grant interim relief when the question of
·granting interim relief formed part of the Reference. There is
further no violation of any of the principles of natural justice or
of any provision of the Constitution. The decision also does not
transgress the limits of the jurisdiction of this Court. We are, G
therefore, of the view that the decision being inter partes operates
as res judicata on the said point and it cannot be reopened."

Since the doctrine of res judicatu is an "essential part of the rule of
Law" it follows that if the issues in the suit are barred by res judicata ex H
888 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A facie then this Court is required to reject the plaint in terms of Order XXIII
Rule 6(b ). There is no substance in the submission of Punjab that even
when there is no dispute of fact the issue of res judicata should be left for
consideration at the trial of the suit. The decision cited viz. Surayya v.
Balagangadhar, AIR ( 1948) PC 5 is an authority for the proposition that
B the issue of res judicata must be specifically pleaded and is inapposite to
the questions raised in this case. Here the earlier proceedings have been
referred to in the plaint and are matters of record. As we have said both
issues pertaining to the Court's jurisdiction under Article 145(3) and 262
have been considered and decided by this Court. The issues have been
C concluded inter partes and cannot be raised again in proceedings inter
partes. .-..
The same objection relates to the challenge to Section 78 of the
Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966. In paragraph 18 of the written statement
filed by the State of Punjab in O.S. No. 6/96 there is an express challenge
D to Section 78 of the Punjab Re-organisation Act for want of legislative
competence.

But there is an additional ground apart from res judicata for
holding that the issue as to the constitutional validity of Section 78 cannot
E be raised. The State of Punjab had earlier filed a suit, being O.S. No. 2
of 1979 in this Court challenging the validity of ;ection 78 of the Punjab
Reorganisation Act, l 976. In paragraphs 3 to 11 of the plaint, the
constitutional validity of Section 78 of the Punjab Re-organisation Act,
l 966 had been specifically challenged. The following prayer among other
F prayers was made :

"(a) Declaration that the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation
Act, 1966 in so far as they purport to authorise the Central
Government to make determination with respect to the waters of
the river Beas Project and allocation or distribution of such waters
G is ultra vires the competence of Parliament and violative of Article
24(3) of the Constitution.

As far as OS No. 2179 is concerned it was unconditionally withdrawn

H
in view of the agreement dated 13th December, 1981 as has been noted
earlier.
..
,,

STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.) 889

Rules I and 2 of Order XXXII of the Supreme Court Rules which A
relate to the withdrawal and adjustment of suits provide :

1. "Rules 1, 2 and 3 of Order XXXl I in the First Schedule to
the Code with respect to the withdrawal and adjustment of
suits shall apply in suits instituted before the Cou1t. B

2. No new suit shall be brought in respect of the same subject-
matter until the terms or conditions, if any, imposed by the
order permitting the withdrawal of a previous suit or giving
leave to bring a new suit have been complied with." C
Rule 2 therefore allows a plaintiff to file a fresh suit in respect of the
same subject matter as the earlier withdrawn suit only if

(i) the order of withdrawal imposed conditions and those D
conditions have been complied with; or

(ii) the order of withdrawal granted leave to the plaintiff to bring
such fresh suit.

In the order allowing OS 2 of 1979 to be withdrawn no such E
conditions are present. Consequently a fresh suit in respect of the same
subject matter viz., the validity of section 78 of the 1966 Act does not lie.
We leave open the question as to whether it is open to the State of Punjab
to question the vires of the statute by which it was created.
F
Similarly the challenge to Section 14 of the 1956 Act must be ejected
at the threshold. The section reads :

"Constitution of Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal.- ( 1)
Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions G
of this Act, the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, constitute a Tribunal under this Act, to be known
as the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal for the verification and
adjudication of the matters referred to in paragraphs 9.1 and. 9.2
" respectively of the Punjab Settlement. H
890 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A (2) When a Tribunal has been consituted under sub~section (1),
(
the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) of Section 4, sub-section
(2), (3) and (4) of Section 5 and Section SA to 13 (both inclusive)
of this Act relating to the constitution, jurisdiction, powers,
authority and bar of jurisdiction shall, so far as may be, but subject
B to sub-section (3) hereof. apply to the constitution, jurisdiction,
powers authority and bar of jurisdiction in relation to the Tribunal
constituted under sub-section (I).

(3) When a Tribunal has been constituted under sub-section
(I), the Central Government alone may suo mo tu or at the
c request of the concerned State Government refer the matters
specified in paragraphs 9.1. and 9.2 of the Punjab Settlement to
such Tribunal.

Explanation - For the purpose of this section "Punjab Settlement"
D means the Memorandum of Settlement signed at "New Delhi on
the 24th day of July, 1985."

In paragraph 51 of Punjab's Written Statement in OS 6 of 1996, it
was admitted that the issues referred to in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 of the
E Punjab settlement were referred to the Ravi-Beas Tribunal by Government
notification dated 2nd April 1986 and the affirmation of the continued
availability of water from the Ravi-Beas system as on 1.7.85 referred to
in the notification was relied upon. The notification dated 2nd April 1986
was issued under Section 14 of the Inter-States Water Disputes Act. As far
F as the report of the Tribunal is concerned, paragraph 8 of the written
statement says that it could not be relied upon because it had not become
final and that Punjab did not accept the correctness of "most of its
findings". There was no dispute raised as to the constitutionality of Section
14 at any stage. Even in the course of arguments, when Section 14 was
specifically referred to in elaborate written notes on the scope, purport and
G effect of Section 14, it was submitted that the effect of Section 14 is four-
fold :

(A) To overcome procedural hurdles that no dispute had been

H
raised and to by pass the mandatory requirement of
negotiations.
..
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 891

(B) To deem matters referred under Section 14 to be a 'water A
dispute' and place this beyond challenge.

(C) To constitute this special section 14 Tribunal under this Act
and not any other provision or statute and make the other
provisions applicable.
B
(D) To oust the jurisdiction of all Courts including the Supreme
Court by making Section 11 applicable to this dispute.

(E) To leave all other disputes relating to the Punjab settlement
. to be decided under the amended Act of 1958 . c
This Court in the judgment dated 15th Janury 2002 considered the
arguments of the parties relating to Section 14 and negatived Punjabs'
submission as to the construction of section 14. Punjab could have
challenged the constitutional validity of Section 14 in its written statement. D
It did not then. It cannot do so now being barred by the doctrine of res
judicata.

In this suit Punjab has claimed that the section is ultra vires because
E
"(i) the raison-d'etre for the introduction of Section 14 in the
Act, 1956 was the assumption of the validity of Punjab
Settlement i.e. Memorandum of Settlement dated 24.07.1985,
which is incorrect as the said Settlement is not a valid or
binding Agreement;
F

(ii) The enactment of Section 14 is beyond the competence of
Par! iament since on the face of it, it is agaii,st the constitutional
Scheme as set out in the Constitution undei: Article 262 read
with entry 56 of 7th Schedule, List I. G

(iii) The special enactment has the effect of making a general
legislation specific to Ravi-Beas Waters. This is discriminatory
to the inhabitants of Punjab living in the Ravi-Beas Valley
• and is therefore, constitutionally invalid. H
892 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004) SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A (iv) There can be no legislative enactment by Parliament in
respect of an invalid Agreement... ......... .

(v) In any event and without prejudice to t~e foregoing, no
Agreement can be executed in part to the exclusion of other
B obligations imposed thereunder, as each' obligation is an
inter-connected and dependant bargain;

(vi) Because in any event and without prejudice to the foregoing,
the Punjab Settlement has become incapable of being
performed under the changed circumstances as also for the
c reasons that the State of Haryana has resiled therefrom and
is unwilling to abide by the letter and spirit of the said
Settlement. From these reasons it also follows that Section
14 which is nothing but a statutory adjudication has no
efficacy in law.
D
(vii) In any event and without prejudice to the foregoing the
purposes for which Section 14 was incorporated in the act.
1956 have become redundant in the light of the facts and
circumstances set out above and as the said provision is no
E longer capable of meeti'lg the objectives for which it was
purportedly enacted :

The challenge to Section 14 of the 1956 Act has been made "'without
prejudice to Punjab's pending application under Section 5(3) of the Act".
F Assuming such a reservation is legally possible, the ground for submitting
Section 14 of the 1950 Act is "unsustainable" is legally impermissible. It
is well established that constitutional invalidity (presumably that is what
Punjab means when it uses the word "unsustainable") of a statutory
provision can be made either on the basis of legislative incompetence or
because the statute is otherwise violative of the provisions of the Constitution.
G Neither the reason for the particular enactment nor the fact that the reason
for the legislation has become redundant, would justify the striking of the
legislation or for holding that a statute or statutory provision is ultra vires.
Yet these are the grounds pleaded in sub-paragraphs '(i), (iv), (v), (vi) and
(vii) to declare section 14 invalid. Furthermore merely saying that a
H particula1 provision is legislatively incompetent [ground (ii)) or
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 893

discriminatory [ground (iii)] will not do. At least prima facie acceptable A
grounds in support have to be pleaded to sustain the challenge. In the
absence of any such pleading the challenge to the constitutional validity
of a statutory provisions is liable to be rejected in limine.

The grounds given in suppo1t of Punjab's challenge to Article 14 are B
ex-facie no grounds in law and tio "cause of action" has been disclosed
to challenge the constitutional validity of Section 14 of the Inter-State
Water Disputes Act, 1986. Not only does the plaint filed by Punjab in OS
I of 2003 not disclose any cause of action, but it is also evident from the
statements in the plaint that the suit is barred by law. The plaint is
accordingly rejected leaving open the other issues raised by Haryana in C
support of its appliration.

Additionally and in the ultimate analysis, it is manifest that the suit
has been filed only with a view to subvert the decision of this Court with
all the disingenuousness of a private litigant to resist its execution. We D
have, in the circumstances, no compunction whatsoever in dismissing the
suit under Order XL VII Rule 6 of the Rules.

I.A. No. I of 2003 filed by the State of Haryana in O.S. I of 2003
is accordingly allowed. The plaint is rejected and Suit I of 2003 (State of E
Putifab v. State of Haryana) is dismissed with costs.

IA. No. 4 In O.S. 6 of 1996

Haryana has asked for enforcement of the decree dated 15th January,
2002 under Article 142 of the Constitution read with clause 2(b) of the F
Supreme Court (Decrees and Orders) Enforcement Order 1954 (hereinafter
referred to as the 1954 Order) praying that the Court may :

(a) Issue directions to the Union of India (Defendant No. 2) to carry out
its obligations under the decree and for the purpose : G

(i) nominate Border Roads Organisation (BRO) as the construction
agency charged with the task of completing and making functional
the SYL canal as expeditiously as possible, and in any case
within a period ofone year from the date of this Hon'ble Court's H
894 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A order on this application;

(ii) Nominate the Central Water Commission (CWC) as the agency
to provide technical guidance and supervision to the construction
agency;
B
(iii) Appoint a High Court Powered Committee consisting of the
Secretaries referred to in paragraph 16-H (iii) to monitor the
function of the above agencies and to submit progress reports
to this Hon 'ble Court on a monthly basis.

C (b) In the event the Union fails to carry out the above directions within <.
a period of four weeks, issue order nominating and appointing the
agency for construction, the agency for providing technical guidance
and the High Powered Committee and direct all of them to carry out
their respective tasks as specified in prayer (a) above.
D
(c) Press such other or further order or orders or such directions as this
Hon 'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances
of the case and to meet the ends of justice.

E The basis of the application is the failure of the State of Punjab to
either continue or complete the incomplete portion of the SYL canal in the
Punjab territory within the period specified in the Decree and the subsequent
failure of the Union of India to take any steps to complete the canal through
its own agencies.

F The State of Punjab has filed a counter affidavit in which it has asked
for deferring the application for execution on the ground that OS lof2003
has been filed, that a prayer in the suit had been made for discharge from
the mandatory injunction and that a letter of complaint had been filed under
Section 3 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. Punjab has also
G submitted that the application for execution was not maintainable, because
Haryana had not applied for orders in terms of Clause 2(b) of the 1954
Order, that draft issues had been filed by Haryana and Punjab in Suit I
of 2003 pursuant to an order passed by this Court dated 24.11.2003 in that
suit, that water disputes were to be resolved on the basis of Punjab's
H complaint under Section 3 of the 1956 Act, that the Decree sought to be
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 895

executed was liable to be modified under the changed circumstances, and A
that the Decree was a nullity. On the merits it is denied that nothing was
done by the State of Punjab to continue or com!Jlete the portion of the canal
within its territory and that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) did not
have the reqttisite experience for constructing SYL canal and finally that
the Haryana's prayer for appointment of a High Power Committee showed B
that the Decree dated 15th January, 2002 is not executable in the ordinary
course.

The Union of India has also filed a counter affidavit in which it has
stated that it has already taken steps to implement and comply with the C
Decree within the "constitutional limitations''. It has referred to several
meetings held and also the correspondence exchanged between the parties.
It has however, submitted that the BRO was committed to canying out
work in border areas and in Jammu and Kashmir in particular till the year
2016 and that it would not be possible to deploy BRO for the purpose of
construction of the canal. It has said that it has asked for the engineering D
details from the State of Punjab, who had executed the works and in whom
the control of the works are vested at present. It has also submitted that
the possession of the SYL canal works needs to be handed over by the State
of Punjab to the agencies as may be selected by the Union of India and
that Budget estimates would have to be made for completion of the canal. E
According to the Union an action plan has been prepared in which
provision has been made for setting up a High Powered Committee, but,
it is submitted, there was no necessity for the High Power Committee to
report back to this Court. As far as nomination of the Central Water
Commission is concerned, it says that this might cripple the chances of F
other more suitable agencies. It has finally been submitted that the State
of Punjab should be directed to extend it fullest cooperation and protection
for the completion of the work by the Union of India. The Union's affidavit
although filed in answer to I.A No. I and 3 in O.S. No. 6 of 1996 was,
at its instance, directed to be treated as its answer to I.A. No. 4 (vide this
Court's order dated 17th December, 2003). G

Punjab was required to complete the canal by 15th Januaiy, 2003 by
the decree. Instead of accepting the decree in good grace, every possible
step has been taken to thwart the decree. The minutes of the meetings and
the correspondence exchanged between the parties during this period H
896 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A shows that the State of Punjab did not comply with this Court's directives
on the ground that :

( 1) Punjab would await the final repo1t of the Ravi-Beas Water
Tribunal;
B
(2) the farmers of the State had tiled a review petition in this Court
in which the Government was a party. The matter was subjudice
and Punjab was not in a position to start the digging of the canal.

(3) the Government of Punjab intended to file another revision
c petition before this Court.

(4) that the construction ofSYL canal was likely to produce strong
advise reaction among the people of Punjab and may also
provide an emotive issue to secessionists/militant elements and
D the construction ofSYL canal would lead to drying up of9 lakh
hectares land in the Punjab; and

(5) Suit No. I of 2003 had been filed.

E Incidentally, the fourth ground is almost a verbatim reproduction of
Punjab's stand in the proceedings filed by it earlier. There was no stay
granted by this Court at any stage of any of the various proceedings filed
assailing the decree. Even when the final assault was made by the filing
of Suit No. I of 2003 we did not grant any stay and it is basic law that
F the mere filing of proceedings does not operate as a stay. The correspondence
and the record of minutes show that the Chief Minister as well as the
Government officials named in the correspondence have arrogated
themselves the power of sitting as a super-judicial body over this Court.

The Constitution provides for an ordered polity within this country
G to promote integrity of the country. When disputes arise between States
there are usually political underpinnings. The resolution of such a dispute
in favour of one party will invariably have a political impact. Article 131
of the Constitution has therefore given this Court the exclusive jurisdiction
to decide such a dispute strictly on legal considerations a.1d in keeping with
H the provisions of the Constitution. To resist the execution of the decree on f
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 897

the ground that it would have a political fall out would result in subversion A
of the Constitution, an endorsement of anarchy and the disintegration of
the country. Apa11 'from rendering the provisions of At1icle 131 a dead
letter such a stand is contrary to Atticle 144 which requires all authorities,
civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme
Court. It is not in the circumstances expected, that Governments whether B
at the Centre or in the States, will not comply with the decree of this Court.
By refusing to comply with the decree of this Court under Article 131 not
only is the offending party guilty of contempt but the very foundation of
the Constitution which the people governing the State have sworn to
uphold when assuming office and to which this country owes its continued
existence, is shaken. It is, we repeat, the Constitutional duty of those who C
wield power in the States to create the appropriate political climate to
ensure a respect for the constitutional processes and not set such processes
at naught only to gain political mileage. As was observed by the Constitution
Bench, in Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (supra) when an Ordinance
was passed by a State seeking to nullify the order of this Court. D

"Such an act is an invitation to lawlessness and anarchy, inasmuch
as the Ordinance is a manifestation of a desire on the part of the
State to be a judge in its own cause and to defy the decisions of
the judicial authorities. The action forebodes evil consequences to E
the federal structure under the Constitution and opens doors
for each State to act in the way it desires disregarding not
only the rights of the other States, the orders passed by
instrumentalities constituted under an Act of Parliament but also
the provisions of the Constitution. If the power ofa State to issue F
such an Ordinance is upheld it will lead to the breakdown of the
constitutional mechanism and affect the unity and integrity of the
nation".

These observations appositely reflect what can be said with regard to
the conduct of the State of Punjab. In any event there is now no question G
of deferring Haryana's application for execution because the suit itself,
namely, O.S. No. I of 2003 has been dismissed. The vague plea relating
to the possible rise of militancy by the construction of the canal is not an
acceptable defence at all. The fact that a letter of complaint has been filed
under Section 3 of the 1956 Act is immaterial as that pertains to a water H
898 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A dispute within the meaning of Section 2(c) of the 1956 Act and we have
already held that the construction ofSYL canal is not a water dispute within <
the meaning of the 1956 Act read with Article 262 of the Constitution. We
have already held that the decree cannot be said to be a nullity. In any event
this is not a question which can be raised while opposing an application
B for execution. What remains of Punjab's opposition is its submission that
the application of Haryana is not maintainable under the 1954 order.

The 1954 Order has been issued by the President in exercise of
powers under Article 142( I) of the Constitution. Punjab's objection to the
C maintainability of Haryana's application for execution because of alleged
non-compliance with paragraph 2(d) of the 1954 Order is unsustainable.
We quote paragraph 2 before giving our reasons in support of this
conclusion :

''Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law in force
D at the commencement of this Order, any decree passed or
order made by the Supreme Court whether before or after
such commencement, including any order as to the costs of,
and incidental to, any proceedings in that Court shall be
enforceable :
E
(a) where such decree or order was passed or made in exercise
of its appellate jurisdiction - in accordance with the
provisions of Jaw for the time being in force relating to the
enforcement of decrees or orders of the Court or Tribunal
from which the appeal to the Supreme Court was preferred
F
or sought to be preferred; and

(b) in any other case. - in accordance with the provisions of law
for the time being in force relating to the enforcement of
decrees or orders of such Court, Tribunal or authority as the
G Supreme Court may specify in its decree or order or in a
subsequent order made by it on the application of any party
to the proceeding.

The decree passed by this Court, under Article 131 being an original
H proceeding would not be covered by clause 2(a). Clause 2(b) empowers
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 899
this Court to specify the law according to which the decree may be A
enforced. The phrase used is "in accordance with" and not ''under". "in
accordance with" in the context similarity or harmony but not ide11tity. The
mode of enforcement which may be specified under clause 2(b) may
therefore be similar to the methods of execution legally provided in respect
of decrees or orders of any Court, Tribunal or Authority. The specification B
of the mode may be done in the decree itself or by a subsequent order made
on an application of any pa11y to the proceeding. The decree in this case
had not specified the mode of execution. Haryana's application is expressed
to be under clause 2(b) of the 1954 Order. Doubtless Haryana has
suggested the passing of directi9ns to ensure implementation of the decree C
which may not be acceptable to,,us, but it has in prayer (c) prayed for "such
other or further order or orders'' or such directions as this Hon'ble Court
may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case and
to meet the of justice". That pfa'yer is sufficient to meet even the entirely
technical objection of Punjab and it cannot be said that Haryana's D
application is not maintainable."'As to the mode of execution section 51 of
the Code of Civil Procedure provides:

"51. Power of Court to enforce execution. - Subject to such
conditions and limitations as may be prescribed, the Court may, E
on the application of the decree-holder, order execution of the
decree -

(a) by delivery of any prope11y specifically decreed;

(b) by attachment and sale or by the sale without attachment of F
any property;

(c) by arrest and detention in prison for such period not
exceeding the period specified in section 58, where arrest
and detention is permissible under that section; G

(d) by appointing a receiver; or

(e) in such other manner as the nature of the relief granted may
require." H
900 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2004] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A The residuary power under Section 51 (e) al lows a Court to pass orders
for enforcing a decree in a manner which would give effect to it. The period
specified in the decree for completion of the canal by Punjab is long since
over. The Union of India has said that it had worked out a contingent action
plan during this period. The contingency. in the form of expiry of th: one
B year period in January 2003 has occurred. We have not been told whether
the contingency plan has been put into operation. Although it appears that
the Cabinet Committee on Project Appraisals had approved the proposal
for completion of the SYL canal by the BRO and at a meeting convened
as early as on 20th February 1991. the then Prime Minister directed that
the BRO take over the work for completion of the SYL Canal in the
c minimum time possible, the BRO is not now available for the purpose.
After the decree the Central Water Commission Officials have inspected
the canal on 9th October 2002. The report has assessed a minimum period
of about two years for removing silt deposits, clearing of trees and bushes,
completing the damaged and balance works and making the canal functional
D and has estimated an amount of about Rs. 250 crore for this purpose
excluding the liabilities of Punjab. In the circumstances we direct the Union
of India to carry out its proposed action plan within the following time
frame:

E (I) The Union of India is to mobilize a Central agency to take
control of the canal works from Punjab within a month from
today.

(2) Punjab must hand over the works to the Central Agency
within 2 (Two) weeks thereafter.
F
(3) An empowered committee should be set up to coordinate
and facilitate the early Implementation of the decree within
4 (four) weeks from today. Representatives of the States of
Haryana and Punjab should be included in such Committee:
G
(4) The construction of the remaining portion of the canal
including the survey; preparation of detailed estimates and
other preparatory works such as repair, desilting, clearance
of vegetation etc. are to be executed and completed by the
H Central Agency within such time as the High Powered
STATE v. STATE [RUMA PAL, J.] 901

Committee will determine. A
(5) The Central and the Punjab Government should provide
adequate security for the staff of the Central Agency.

We conclude this chapter with a reminder to the State of Punjab that B
''Great states have a temper superior to that of private litigants, and it is
to be hoped that enough has been decided for patriotism, the fraternity of
the Union, and mutual consideration to bring it to an end'"

Application 4 of2003 in OS 6of1996 is thus allowed on th~ atoresaid C
terms without any order as to costs.

S.K.S. Application allowed.

9. Commonwealth of Virginia v. State of West Virginia, 55 L.ed 353.