Get instructions from Tamil Nadu government on PIL against Isha: Madras High Court to Government Pleader

Chennai: The Madras High Court today directed the government pleader to get instructions from Tamil Nadu government in connection with a PIL alleging violations by Isha Foundation in construction around the proposed 112-foot statue of Lord Siva at its yoga centre in Coimbatore district.

The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan directed Government Pleader M K Subramanian to get instructions from the state government on a PIL by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society, and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

The petitioner sought a court direction to Tamil Nadu government to restore wetlands by demolishing unauthorised construction allegedly put up by Isha Foundation at Ikkarai Poluvampatti village in Coimbatore district.

The society submitted that the hamlet comes under Hill Area Conservation Authority?(HACA) as per a Government Order of April 22, 1990.
It alleged that Isha Foundation had on February 22, 2011 acquired 3.26 acres at the village.

Later, it had purchased another three acres in benami names in the same village.

The foundation had begun work on a one lakh square foot building without due approvals from departments concerned, the society said.
The "illegal construction" was being carried out using huge granite rocks and iron rods.

The work was taking place even at night, scaring wild animals, which flee into cultivable lands, causing huge losses to people, the petitioner added.
The society said it had exhausted all remedies available under law to redress his grievances and moved court as a last resort.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the statue of Adiyogi, to be consecrated by Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on February 24 on Maha Shivaratri at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore.