The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to prevent the Isha Foundation from holding its Maha Shivaratri festival, citing alleged violations of pollution norms in previous events.
The bench, comprising Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar, reviewed an affidavit from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) confirming that the Isha Foundation is equipped to manage potential pollution during the festivities scheduled for February 26 and 27, 2025, at its Coimbatore premises. The court found no substantial grounds to support the petitioner's concerns and allowed the celebrations to proceed.
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The petitioner, ST Sivagnanan, a Coimbatore resident and neighboring farm owner, claimed that the Isha Foundation's previous Maha Shivaratri events did not comply with pollution control regulations. He alleged issues such as sewage discharge and noise pollution affecting his property and livestock. Despite prior court directives to address these concerns, Sivagnanan argued that authorities had not taken adequate action.
In response, the Isha Foundation questioned the petitioner's standing, noting that his address did not position him as an immediate neighbor. The foundation contended that Sivagnanan had a history of filing unsubstantiated petitions against their events. They also referenced the TNPCB report, which indicated compliance with environmental norms during past festivals.
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The TNPCB affirmed that the Isha Foundation has been conducting its Maha Shivaratri celebrations in accordance with pollution control standards and committed to monitoring ambient noise levels during the upcoming event.
After evaluating the submissions, the court concluded that there was no justification to interfere with the planned celebrations and dismissed the petition.
Case Title: ST Sivagnanan v The State of Tamil Nadu
Case No: WP 5776 of 2025
