SC relief for Isha yoga centre on Tamil Nadu government's notice
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday protected Sadhguru-led Isha Foundation's yoga and meditation centre at Coimbatore from Tamil Nadu government's ire by quashing a show cause notice issued to it by state pollution control board alleging constructions carried out between 2006-2014 without prior environment clearance
Mar 1, 2025, 21:45 IST
While upholding the Madras HC's 2022 decision to quash the show cause notice against Isha Foundation, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N K Singh said, "As we approve the decision of HC, no coercive action will be taken by TNPCB against Isha Foundation for constructions carried out in the past to set up the yoga and meditation centre at Coimbatore."
The Supreme Court of India has provided relief to the Isha Foundation by upholding the Madras High Court's decision to quash notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). These notices alleged that the foundation had constructed buildings between 2006 and 2014 without obtaining the necessary environmental clearances.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. K. Singh ruled that no coercive action should be taken against the foundation's yoga and meditation center in Coimbatore for past constructions. However, the court emphasized that the foundation must obtain prior approvals for any future expansions and adhere strictly to environmental regulations.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court criticized the TNPCB for its delayed challenge—nearly two years after the High Court's decision. The court questioned the board's tardiness, expressing suspicion over the state's late approach. Furthermore, the court acknowledged that the foundation's activities, including yoga instruction, align with the definition of an educational institution, which exempts it from certain environmental clearance requirements.
This ruling underscores the necessity for timely legal actions by regulatory bodies and highlights the importance of compliance with environmental norms, even for institutions categorized under educational activities.