On January 10, the division bench of Karnataka High Court led by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi directed Isha Yoga Centre to maintain status quo on the construction activity being carried out by it near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura. A division bench gave the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Kyathappa S and others, who are native agriculturist and permanent residents of Chikkaballapura Taluk.

The petitioners allege that the authorities have "allowed" the Isha Yoga Centre to destruct and deface entire ecosystem, environment and natural rain water streams, water bodies, water feeder streams in Foot Hill of Nandi Hills and Narasimha Devaru Range (Betta) NDB in utter violation of environmental laws, which has direct impact on the living, livelihood, cattle, sheep, forest animals, in the region. The court permitted the petitioners to amend their petition within a week to allow them to raise a challenge to the notification issued by the government granting land to the Isha Yoga Centre and for raising additional grounds. The court added that on carrying out the amendment to the petition, notice be issued to the respondents returnable in three weeks.

The petition prays for calling of entire records in respect of the lands in Avakagurki and seeks a direction for initiation of appropriate proceedings for protection of the Nandi Hill range. It also seeks a direction against Isha Yoga Centre to not proceed with defacing, damaging the "ecosystem, terrain of the Hill range in Avalagurki"

Case Title: Kyathappa S & others v. The Secretary & others
Case No: 312/2023