Supreme Court names former judge of Madras high court as mediator to settle Isha Foundation crematorium dispute

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed former judge of the Madras high court Justice B Rajendran as a mediator to amicably settle a dispute over the establishment of a crematorium by Isha Foundation in a residential area in Coimbatore.

The first bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi passed the order on a plea filed by S N Subramanian, whose house is located adjacent to the parcel of land on which the crematorium is being established by the foundation.


"On our suggestion, the parties are agreeable to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement in terms whereof Isha Foundation will offer a fair and reasonable market price for the petitioner's residential house so as to enable him to settle down at another place of his choice. We earnestly impress upon the parties to pursue such a possibility and settle their disputes amicably," the bench said.

As counsel for the petitioner, Prashant Bhushan, insisted on the court appointing a mediator, the bench requested Justice Rajendran to provide his services as a mediator between the parties.

The bench then directed Prashant Bhushan and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for the foundation, to contact Justice B Rajendran by Friday and appear before him according to the schedule fixed. The matter was adjourned to April 17.

On Jan 28, a division bench of the Madras high court dismissed a batch of pleas, including the one moved by the petitioner, against the establishment of a crematorium in Ikkarai Boluvampatti, Coimbatore.

The bench noted that the establishment of a crematorium, particularly a gasifier crematorium, is only to the benefit of the community, and it cannot be said to be against public interest. Aggrieved, the petitioner approached the apex court.