ORDER : 1. Having heard Mr. K. Parasaran and Mr. V.A. Bobde, learned senior counsel for the plaintiff and Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, learned senior counsel and Mr. Mohan Katarki, learned counsel for the defendant No. 1 at quite some length, we are of the view that for deciding some of the issues framed in the suit, it would be necessary to decide certain substantial questions of law involving interpretation of the Constitution, in particular : (i) Articles 3 and 4 read with Article 246 of the Constitution; (ii) Article 131 read with Article 32 of the Constitution; (iii) Proviso to Article 131 read with Articles 295 and 363 of the Constitution and the effect of the Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 1971; and (iv) The effect of decision of this Court in Mullaperiyar Environmental Protection Forum v. Union of India & Ors., (2006) 3 SCC 643 in the context of aforereferred constitutional provisions.. 2. As the case involves the resolution of said questions, the suit may be placed before the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India for necessary directions for placing it before a Constitution Bench. 3. The contesting parties shall maintain status quo in respect of Mullai Periyar Dam as existing today. However, order of status quo will not be an impediment for the plaintiff (State of Tamil Nadu) to carry out maintenance and repairs for proper upkeep of the said Dam. 4. It will be open to the parties to apply, could there be an occasion for modification, variation or alteration of the order or need for any fresh order.