Cauvery Calling Project: Karnataka HC directs state government to file fresh and proper affidavit to clarify who is behind project

The Karnataka High Court today directed the state government to file a fresh and proper affidavit clarifying the name of the entity behind the Cauvery Calling project. .This direction was passed by the Court during the hearing of a PIL filed by Advocate AV Amarnathan praying for issue directions to Isha Foundation to refrain from collecting any funds from the public for the Cauvery Calling project..The Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice M Nagaprasanna noted,."We find that proper documents are not annexed and proper explanation as contemplated by order dated June 11 is not furnished."Karnataka High Court.During an earlier hearing, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation had contended that Isha Outreach was looking after the Cauvery Calling project..Today, the Court asked the state government, ."What action have you taken taken against Resp 2 (Isha Foundation) and Resp 3 (Isha Outreach)? They are claiming that Cauvery calling is a project of the State Government....".In response, Additional Advocate General Subramanya R informed the Bench that the organisations were not in fact claiming that Cauvery Calling was a state project..The Bench was also informed of a rejoinder filed by petitioner Advocate Amarnathan containing various personal allegations against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev..Under what authority are you collecting money? Karnataka HC asks Isha Foundation in Cauvery Calling matter.To this, Senior Advocate Ashok Haranahalli contended that such personal allegations should not be entertained and that the petitioner must confine submissions to the issue at hand. Haranahalli also asked if this was a "publicity stunt" by the petitioner. .As the hearing drew to a close, Amarnathan stated that he was willing to withdraw the rejoinder filed. Thus, the Court directed him to file an affidavit confirming the same..Cauvery Calling Project: Govt is not coming clean with true facts, Karnataka HC observes; asks state to clarify who is behind project.The petition filed by Amarnathan alleged that as part of the Cauvery Calling project, Isha Foundation was planting saplings on government land and was collecting money for the same from the public..The plea raises concern as to how the government can allow its land to be used by a private organisation, without studying the pros and cons of the project..Cauvery Calling project is looked after by an independent entity: Isha Foundation files memo before Karnataka HC .The petitioner further argued that the “collection of money from public is disturbing” as the Foundation is expected to collect a massive ₹10,626 crore as donation..The matter will be next heard on August 13.