Repeal Padma Vibushan to Jaggi, says plea

The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice K Kalyanasundaram merely adjourned the case by four weeks after refusing to pass any orders on the plea. Advocate-activist M Vetri Selvan submitted that Jaggi Vasudev was facing at least two PIL proceedings in the high court seeking demolition of all illegal buildings/ structures constructed by Isha Foundation in and around Ikkarai Bolluvampatti village in Coimbatore district. 

Assailing the selection of Jaggi Vasudev for the second highest civilian award of the nation, Vetri Selvan said that to be eligible for the award the recipient must exhibit an element of public service in the achievements. 

But Jaggi Vasudev is deliberately violating the law of the land, and therefore, he could not have been conferred the Padma Vibhushan award, he said, adding that it was incumbent on the Centre to consider the representation dated February 2, 2017 in this regard, and revoke the award immediately. 

Noting that persons selected for the awards are subjected to verification by investigating agencies of the government with a view to ensuring that their character and antecedents are above board, Advocate M Radhakrishnan appearing for the petitioner argued that the “The award is given for special services and not merely for long service. It should not be merely excellence in a particular field, but criteria have to be excellence-plus.”