New Delhi’s Supreme Court bench praised the Isha Foundation’s gasifier crematoriums near Coimbatore as ‘holy work’ on February 26, steering a contentious land dispute toward mediation. The court advised consensus-building after the Madras High Court upheld the project’s legitimacy.
A petitioner’s special leave plea followed the high court’s rejection, which found no merit in claims against the approved facility. Justices highlighted the partial land transfer to Isha and recommended negotiations for the rest, leading to mutual agreement and mediator appointment.
Retired Justice Rajendran from Madras High Court will facilitate talks, reflecting judicial efficiency in resolving civil matters. The high court had ruled the crematoriums legally sound, environmentally compliant, and essential for community needs.
Isha acted on local panchayat requests from five-plus villages, securing TNPCB and departmental nods. Operating since 2010, the foundation oversees nearly 30 cremation grounds with eco-conscious designs across key Tamil Nadu locations.
In a humanitarian stride last year, Isha and the state government rolled out free services for underprivileged families, fostering inclusivity in end-of-life rituals. This resolution not only clears hurdles for Isha but sets a precedent for collaborative dispute resolution in public welfare projects.