SC upholds quashing of show cause notice to Isha Foundation

SC upholds quashing of show cause notice to Isha Foundation
28 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court has upheld a 2022 Madras High Court decision to quash a show cause notice against the Isha Foundation.

The notice was issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) regarding constructions at the foundation's Coimbatore campus.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh ruled that no coercive action shall be taken against the yoga and meditation center.

Isha Foundation's legal commitment and future directives
Legal pledge

The Supreme Court noted the Isha Foundation's undertaking to abide by all relevant laws.

It also directed that any future expansion should obtain permission from the competent authority.

This judgment came after the TNPCB challenged the high court ruling that quashed the 2021 show-cause notice against Isha Foundation for carrying out construction work between 2006 and 2014 without certain environmental clearances.

Madras High Court's classification of Isha Foundation
Educational status

The Madras High Court had classified the Isha Foundation as an educational institute, exempting it from requiring prior environmental clearance under Central government provisions.

This classification was based on the foundation's group development activities and its operation of a yoga center.

The SC had earlier questioned the delay in TNPCB's appeal against this decision, with Justice Kant remarking on the implications of accepting delayed appeals.

Supreme Court questions delay in TNPCB's appeal
Appeal delay

Justice Kant had asked why rich litigants should be preferred over the common ones if delayed appeals were entertained.

"If we start accepting better affidavits and accept 633 plus days delay then why should poor litigants be deprived of this? Why should affluent litigants be only heard and where will common litigant go to? When State comes so late then we become auspicious," he said.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Isha Foundation in this matter.