SC refuses to interfere with HC order quashing TN pollution board's notices against Isha Foundation

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Madras High Court's decision to quash notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) against Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation over alleged environmental violations. The notices pertained to the construction of buildings at the foundation’s Yoga and Meditation Centre in the foothills of Velliangiri mountains without prior environmental clearance.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh ruled that no coercive action shall be taken against the centre but emphasized that it must comply with all environmental norms and TNPCB directives. The court also mandated that any future expansion of the facility must receive prior approval from the competent authority. However, the order was issued based on the specific circumstances of the case and will not set a precedent for regularizing unauthorized constructions.

In its December 14, 2022, ruling, the Madras High Court had classified the Isha Foundation’s facilities under the education category and subsequently set aside the TNPCB’s showcause notice dated November 19, 2021, allowing the foundation’s plea.


With inputs from PTI