Coastal States given final chance to file counter affidavits, face penalty for non-compliance

The Supreme Court granted a final opportunity to coastal States that failed to file counter affidavits despite a court order. Defaulting States were required to pay costs of &8377; 50,000/- to the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Welfare Trust within six weeks and submit their counter affidavits by a specified date. This decision aimed to uphold the principles of justice and ensure compliance with court orders regarding Centre-State relationships and separation of legislative powers.

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Issues: Failure of some coastal States to file counter affidavits despite court order; Granting final opportunity to defaulting States on payment of costs.

In the judgment, the Supreme Court noted that while the respondent-Union of India and State of Karnataka had filed their counter affidavits as per the court order dated 30.08.2007, other coastal States had failed to do so despite a significant lapse of time. The court highlighted the importance of the issues at hand, emphasizing their implications on Centre-State relationships, federal character, and separation of legislative powers. In light of this, the court decided to provide one final opportunity to the defaulting States to file their counter affidavits. However, this opportunity was subject to a condition that each defaulting State must pay costs of &8377; 50,000/- to the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Welfare Trust within six weeks from the date of the judgment. The court directed that the defaulting States must file their counter affidavits by a specified date after making the required payments. This decision aimed to ensure compliance with the court's orders and uphold the principles of justice and procedural fairness.

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