PIL In Karnataka HC To Restraint Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation From Collecting Money From Public For 'Cauvery Calling' Project

Public interest litigation filed by in the Karnataka High Court seeks directions to Isha Foundation, headed by Guruji Jaggi Vasudev, not to collect any funds from the public for the 'Cauvery calling project', in the interest of equity and justice.

The petition filed by advocate A V Amarnathan is likely to be heard in Tuesday. As per the petition, the foundation is planning to plant trees, across the Cauvery river from the birthplace Talacauvery to Thiruvarur. A stretch of 639.1kms, it has started its Bike rally from Talacauvery to Thiruvarur. The petitioner is closely watching the media report. The foundation is planning to plant 253 crores plants to save Cauvery River. The respondent is collecting Rs. 42 per tree planting from the public. That means it is collecting a whooping sum of Rs 253 X 42 in total of Rs, 10,626 crores . This collection of money from the public is very disturbing.

Further it says that "Foundation claims that it has conducted studies regarding the Cauvery Basin. But it ought to have submitted the said report to the State. And the state after deliberating the said studies should have given approval. But no such process is carried out. The petitioner submits that no private organization can be permitted to carryout any work, on the Government land, without there being a proper approval from the state."

The state can not permit a private organization to collect funds for the project carried out on the Government land.

The plea prays for issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other writ in the same nature directing the respondent to stop collecting Rs, 42 per tree for 253 crores plant from the General Public. Direct the state government to look into the project of the foundation regarding the Cauvery Calling project and take appropriate steps.  

Click here to download the Petition