The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s review petition in the Mekedatu case, refusing to reopen its earlier decision delivered in November 2025.
Karnataka has been pursuing efforts to build a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu and has been working on preparing a draft project report (DPR). Tamil Nadu had approached the apex court seeking directions that no approval should be granted for the DPR.
Karnataka, on its part, had filed a petition seeking approval for the Mekedatu dam. Puducherry and Kerala also moved the Supreme Court opposing the project, supporting Tamil Nadu’s stand.
In its November 2025 order, a bench led by then Chief Justice B.R. Gavai noted that no decision had been taken on Karnataka’s DPR. It also pointed to the Cauvery Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, stating that the central authority should decide based on their recommendations and not act independently.
Hearing Tamil Nadu’s review plea, a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant said it had examined the petition and the documents filed, but found no sufficient reason to review the 2025 judgment, and dismissed the plea.
