SC pulls up TNPCB for filing plea after two years against order quashing notice to Isha Foundation
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for approaching it after two years against a Madras High Court order quashing a showcause notice against Isha Foundation for having constructed various buildings between 2006 and 2014.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh termed the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) as a "friendly match" played by bureaucrats wanting the apex court's stamp on the petition's dismissal.
The top court told Advocate General PS Raman that now that Isha Foundation had constructed a yoga and meditation centre in Coimbatore district's Velliangiri, the state must ensure that there was environmental compliance.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Isha Foundation, urged the top court to hear the matter after Shivratri, saying a major function was scheduled to be held.
The bench posted the matter for hearing after Shivratri.
On December 14, 2022, holding that the facilities set up by Isha Foundation in Coimbatore would fall under the 'education' category, the high court set aside the TNPCB notice seeking to know why prosecution should not be launched for constructing various buildings between 2006 and 2014.
The high court quashed the notice dated November 19, 2021, while allowing a petition from the foundation, represented by its founder Jaggi Vasudev.
The showcause notice contended that the foundation had constructed the buildings in the foothills of Velliangiri without obtaining prior environmental clearance.
The Union government had earlier informed the high court that the foundation was imparting yoga lessons, besides running a school. Hence, it would fall under the ambit of 'education'.
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Mumbai family deaths: Rat poison ingredient zinc phosphide found in viscera, watermelon sample
Mumbai (PTI): Four members of a family in Pydhonie area of south Mumbai died last month due to rat poison, police officials said on Thursday.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report has confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide in viscera (liver, kidney, spleen), stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples of the deceased identified as Abdulla Dokadia (44), his wife Nasrin (35) and their daughters Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13), said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe.
"The watermelon sample also tested positive for zinc phosphide, while all other food items were negative. The report will be studied in depth. We will consult forensic doctors. Further probe in the case is underway," the DCP said.
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Zinc phosphide is used primarily as a highly toxic acute rodenticide to control rats and mice.
"The forensic experts who examined the viscera of deceased Abdulla Dokadia, Nasrin (35), Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13) found traces of zinc phosphide. It is, however, unclear whether the rat poison was consumed accidentally (or on purpose). So far, we have found no strong reason why the whole family would take such an extreme step," another official said.
Further probe is being conducted by the JJ Marg police station, which has recorded statements of kin and neighbours, he added.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road, had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25. At around 1 am, hours after the guests had left, Abdullah Dokadia, his wife Nasreen, and daughters Ayesha and Zaineb ate pieces of a watermelon.
They suffered severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea in the early hours of April 26 and were rushed to a local hospital before being referred to the government-run J J Hospital where all four died during treatment.
