Karnataka High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea To Stop Cauvery Aarti Near KRS Dam

The Karnataka High Court on Friday issued notice to the State government and other respondents on a petition questioning their decision to hold Cauvery Aarti near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir, citing environmental concerns.

After hearing the counsel of Petitioner Sunanda Jayaram for some time, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice C M Joshi ordered, “Notice shall be issued to the respondents and the respondents shall file their affidavit in reply to the petition within 2 weeks.”

The Water Resource Department of the State has resolved to perform Cauvery Aarti, in similarity with Ganga Aarti. To provide facilities for the same, it has accorded administrative sanction of Rs.92.30 Crores.

Jayaram's counsel submitted that the decision has been taken being 'unmindful of the consequences'.

It is contended that the aarti will attract congregation of thousands of people for which, arrangements like stadium, vehicle parking, etc. will have to be made— unmindful of the dam safety, water pollution, and ecological balance. The move is also apprehended to adversely affect agricultural fields in the Cauvery basin.

The plea thus avers that the State's decision is contrary and opposed to the Dam Safety Act 2021.

It seeks to quash the GO for holding Cauvery Aarti and by way of interim relief, seeks a stay order.

Case Title: Sunanda Jayaram And Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 18350/2025

Appearance: Advocate Rajanna R for Petitioner.