New Delhi, February 28: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a Madras High Court ruling that quashed notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) against Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation. The notices were related to allegations of unauthorized construction at the foothills of the Velliangiri mountains in Coimbatore without obtaining prior environmental clearances.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh stated clearly that no coercive measures shall be initiated against the Yoga and Meditation Centre established by the Isha Foundation in the ecologically sensitive Velliangiri hills region. The apex court emphasized, however, that the center must strictly adhere to all existing environmental norms and any specific directives issued by the TNPCB.
Addressing concerns of potential expansion, the Supreme Court explicitly directed the Isha Foundation to secure prior approval from the competent authorities before undertaking any future extensions or developments at the Yoga and Meditation Centre.
Importantly, the apex court underscored that its judgment should not be interpreted as a general precedent for regularizing unauthorized constructions. It clarified that this decision has been specifically rendered considering the unique facts and circumstances surrounding this case alone.
Previously, on December 14, 2022, the Madras High Court had classified Isha Foundation's facility as falling under the category of "education," leading to the nullification of the TNPCB’s show-cause notice issued on November 19, 2021. The notice had alleged illegal constructions in the environmentally delicate area without prior approvals.
By setting aside the notice, the high court effectively endorsed Isha Foundation’s plea, highlighting that the yoga and meditation facilities provided by the institution were educational in nature and thus exempted from certain environmental clearances applicable to other forms of development.
The Supreme Court's latest decision reinforces this stance, subjecting the centre’s operations to compliance with environmental regulations while safeguarding it from immediate punitive actions by the pollution control authority.
Key Highlights:
- Supreme Court declines to interfere with Madras High Court order favoring Isha Foundation.
- Isha Foundation to comply strictly with TNPCB environmental guidelines.
- Any future expansion requires prior approval from relevant authorities.
- Decision applicable solely to the specific facts of this case, not setting a broad precedent.
