The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to submit a report on alleged pollution norm violations by Isha Foundation during its annual Maha Shivratri celebrations.

The directive was issued on Friday, February 21, 2025, by a division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar.

The court instructed Additional Advocate General (AAG) J. Ravindran to ensure the report is filed by the morning of February 24, as this year’s celebrations are scheduled for the night of February 26-27. The bench emphasized the need to issue appropriate orders before the event.

The directive stems from a petition seeking to prohibit the Tamil Nadu government, Coimbatore Collector, Superintendent of Police, District Forest Officer, and TNPCB from permitting music, dance, and other cultural performances at the event held at the Isha Yoga Centre, located at the foothills of Velliangiri in Coimbatore district. The annual event attracts lakhs of devotees and visitors.

The petition was filed by S.T. Sivagnanan, a resident of Semmedu village, who owns 20 acres of land in Ikkarai Boluvampatti village, near the 295-acre Isha Yoga Centre. He contended that the centre, which accommodates over 6,000 residents and receives around 7,000 visitors daily, lacks adequate infrastructure to manage sewage disposal during such large-scale gatherings.

According to his counsel, A. Yogeshwaran, the use of loud music, bright lights, and dance performances near a forested area disrupts wildlife, particularly elephants.

The petitioner also referenced a similar case he had filed before the 2024 Maha Shivratri celebrations, which remains pending. He alleged that despite the court’s previous directives on sewage management, Isha Foundation failed to comply and continued to violate noise pollution regulations during nighttime festivities.

In response, senior counsel Satish Parasaran, representing Isha Foundation, argued that the petitioner had filed the plea just days before the celebrations with ulterior motives. He also questioned the necessity of a fresh petition when the 2024 case was still unresolved. Parasaran asserted that Isha Foundation adheres to the pollution control guidelines prescribed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2020.

AAG Ravindran affirmed that the event must comply with legal and environmental norms and sought time until Monday to compile details from relevant authorities and submit a response. The court accepted the request and scheduled the next hearing accordingly.