'Constructions by Isha foundation illegal'

The Madras High Court was today informed that the buildings constructed by the Isha foundation downhill of Vellayangiri in Coimbatore were illegal.
The First Bench headed by the Chief Justice R K Agrawal had earlier ordered the issue of notice to authorities on a petition filed by an Advocate Vetriselvan seeking a direction to demolish "illegal constructions built in Isha foundation and to seal the school premises built in contravention of the rules".
In the counter-affidavit, Deputy Director, Town and Country Planning of Coimabtore range said the constructions were illegal and against the directives of Hill Area Conservation Authority in force from 1990. Prior approval of Collector was necessary as per the Tamil Nadu Panchayat rules 1997 which was not obtained, it said.

The counter further said that the school in question was being run in one of the constructions for which lock, seal and demolition notice was issued. Proposals for approval of all these constructions sent by the foundation were returned since they were not in proper shape, it said.
As the foundation had not re-submitted the plans as per the constructions carried out, a stop work notice was issued on November 5 last year, the counter said.
Subsequently, sealing notice was also issued and since total buildings were constructed without approval from competent authorities and as the plan was not in full shape it was returned on January 24 this year, it said.