The top court told Advocate General PS Raman that now that Isha Foundation had constructed a yoga and meditation centre in Coimbatore district’s Velliangiri, the state must ensure that there was environmental compliance.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Isha Foundation, urged the top court to hear the matter after Shivratri, saying a major function was scheduled to be held.
The bench posted the matter for hearing after Shivratri.
On December 14, 2022, holding that the facilities set up by Isha Foundation in Coimbatore would fall under the ‘education’ category, the high court set aside the TNPCB notice seeking to know why prosecution should not be launched for constructing various buildings between 2006 and 2014.
The high court quashed the notice dated November 19, 2021, while allowing a petition from the foundation, represented by its founder Jaggi Vasudev. The showcause notice contended that the foundation had constructed the buildings in the foothills of Velliangiri without obtaining prior environmental clearance.
The Union government had earlier informed the high court that the foundation was imparting yoga lessons, besides running a school. Hence, it would fall under the ambit of ‘education’.