Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation has been accused of making unauthorized constructions on 20.805 hectares of land at its campus in Coimbatore. In this context, the Madras High Court has ordered an investigation by the Joint Director of District Town and Rural Planning to take appropriate action if irregularities are found.
Newslaundry had reported that the 150-acre campus of the Isha Foundation in Ikkarai Boluvampatti, Coimbatore, had flagrant violations of several norms, including the 112-foot Adiyogi statue.
This statue of Adiyogi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The then deputy director R Selvaraj said, “The statue was built without the approval of his department.”
In 2021, P Muthammal, an applicant from the Velliangiri Hill Tribal Protection Society, was interviewed by Newslaundry and said, “Isha Foundation harassed me for applying in 2017”.
P Muthammal left his house in Muttathu Ayal Colony of Ikkarai Boluvampatti after objecting to the construction work being carried out by the Isha Foundation in the foothills of Velliangiri.
The Madras High Court gave this direction on August 18.
Talking about this now, Muthammal said, “It is the government’s job to take action. The government should remove the illegal constructions and ensure that there is no harm to the forest, wildlife and tribal people,” he said.
‘No NOC Record’
The Madras High Court took note of the status report submitted by Thiru R Rajaguru, Joint Director of Town and Country Planning. The report said that Isha Foundation had neither sought permission nor obtained a no-objection certificate for construction.
A bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice PD Adikesavulu then ordered a probe.
The report mentions construction on 20.805 hectares of land, including 15.53 acres of Nanjai land or wetland and 5.275 hectares of Punjai or dry land. No record of District Collector NOC, Pollution Control Board NOC, Hill Area Conservation Authority NOC, Fire Department NOC etc. was found in the office.
On checking with the Ikkarai Boluvampatti Panchayat, it was submitted that no permission was given by the Panchayat President. It is submitted that the Collector has not issued NOC to the religious building.
”The Joint Director of Town and Village Planning of the district will consider the documents that may be submitted by the applicant and Isha Foundation. Checks about the permission in force. If it is not in order, further steps should be taken. Expeditious action should be taken in respect of the building which cannot be constructed as per plan and no-objection certificate,” the court ordered.
