Karnataka HC allows Adiyogi statue inauguration, orders status quo on construction at site

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday clarified that the order of status quo in regard to the activities of Isha Yoga Centre at Avalagurki village of Chikkaballapura district would not come in the way of unveiling the Adiyogi (Shiva) statue, scheduled for January 15, 2023. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale said this after accepting the undertaking of the Centre that it would not take up any activities of deforestation and construction in the meantime.

The bench was hearing a PIL questioning the permission granted to purchase the land and alleged deforestation and construction activities.

“We clarify that order dated January 11, 2023 would not come in the way of respondent 16 (Isha Yoga Centre) for the scheduled programme on January 15, 2023 and that respondent 16 would not take any activity of alleged deforestation and alleged construction is taken as undertaking to this court,” the bench said.