Inter-state fight over THDC shares: Supreme Court asks UP to pay Rs 30 lakh to Uttarakhand as cost
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay a cost of Rs 30 lakh within four weeks to the Uttarakhand administration which is fighting a legal battle with the former over shareholding in the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC).
Uttarakhand in 2012 had filed a lawsuit in the top court against Uttar Pradesh seeking a declaration that 25 per cent shareholding in the THDC, which was earlier granted to UP, now be given to it following the bifurcation of UP in 2000.
The hill state has further sought a declaration that it is rightful owner of the said shareholding and hence, a decree of injunction (stay) on allocation of THDC shares be granted in its favour.
The top court, on December 16, 2013, decided to proceed with the hearing ex-parte on the lawsuit of Uttarakhand as the UP government's counsel or representative could not appear.
However, later UP government swung into action and moved the plea in the top court seeking recall of the earlier order, which was vehemently opposed by Uttarakhand administration.
The hill state claimed that it has "incurred a total expenditure of Rs 57,48,791... as legal costs towards payment of counsel's fee towards 11 hearings."
A bench of Justices R F Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat, said: "This court is of the opinion that though the state of UP was tardy and could not ensure timely appearance, yet, when the concerned officials were made aware of the pendency of the present suit and order dated December 16, 2013, prompt steps were taken."
The court recalled its order and said, "having regard to the entirety of circumstances, the Interlocutory Application is allowed subject to the State of U.P. paying costs quantified at Rs 30,00,000...to the plaintiff/State of Uttarakhand, within four weeks from today".
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Watch: Tusker rescued from 20-foot well in Sullia after 16-hour operation
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Mangaluru (PTI): A lone tusker that had fallen into an abandoned 20-foot-deep well in Dakshina Kannada district was successfully rescued after forest officials constructed an earthen ramp, allowing the animal to walk out safely, officials said.
The incident occurred when the elephant, aged about 30 years and roaming in the forested Sampaje range of Sullia taluk in the Western Ghats, accidentally fell into the well in the early hours of Monday and was rescued at around 4 pm the same day, they said.
Initially, when the operation began, officials suspected it was a calf. But midway through the rescue, as it made its way out, they realised it was actually an elephant.
The animal remained trapped inside the well for nearly 16 hours before being rescued, officials added.
Huge relief, the elephant is out of the well.
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
The animal has moved into nearby plantations instead of heading back to the forest. Forest teams remain on high alert.#ElephantRescue #Karnataka https://t.co/ZCLU6COXTv pic.twitter.com/begPVx1oki
According to officials, acting swiftly, the Karnataka Forest Department created a gradual ramp from the bottom of the well to ground level using earth-moving equipment, ensuring a safe exit path for the animal.
After spending about 16 hours inside the well, the elephant walked out safely using the ramp and disappeared into the nearby forest, officials said.
A wild elephant trapped in a well in Peraje, Sullia. Rescue underway. Forest officials on-site for hours, digging to bring the animal out safely. Prayers for the gentle giant. #elephants #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/GZ7yp7pA8q
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
Forest department officials told PTI that the tusker did not sustain any injuries despite the fall and remained healthy and alert throughout the operation.
They monitored the animal as it climbed the ramp and returned to its natural habitat.
The timely intervention prevented any harm to the elephant and highlighted the swift response of the forest team in wildlife rescue operations in the Western Ghats region, which is known for human-elephant conflict incidents.
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