The Supreme Court paused a Madras High Court ruling on Thursday, which permitted police intervention against spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and took over the case.
The Supreme Court issued its decision following a petition by the Isha Foundation challenging a Madras High Court ruling that required the Tamil Nadu government to provide information on all criminal cases filed against the foundation.
“Police shall not take any further action in pursuance of directions of the High Court’s order. With reference to the said allegations, the Coimbatore Rural Police having jurisdiction shall conduct an enquiry and file a status report before this court,” said a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
While in the hearing, the Supreme Court requested the panel to draft and present a status report. The upcoming court session is scheduled for October 18th.
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A former professor had claimed his 2 daughters were ‘brainwashed’ at yoga centre
S Kamaraj, a former professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, filed a petition claiming that his two daughters were brainwashed and held captive in the yoga center at Isha Foundation ashram, leading to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The Top Court said man’s daughters are living on their own will
CJI Chandrachud mentioned that he had a conversation with Kamaraj’s daughters, who participated in the hearing through virtual means, and confirmed that they were residing in the ashram by their own choice.
Kamaraj claimed in his petition that the Isha Foundation was manipulating people’s minds, turning them into monks and cutting off their ties with their families.
Not long ago, a group of police officers carried out investigations at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore as per the directive from the Madras High Court.
Madras High Court had raised questions about the practices at the foundation
Upon listening to Kamaraj’s claim that his two daughters, aged 42 and 39 years, were being supposedly held at the facility without will, the Madras High Court had expressed concerns about the procedures followed at the organization. The High Court asked why Sadhguru advised women to become monks despite his daughter being married and settled.
The plea also cited multiple criminal cases against the foundation, including a recent POCSO Act case involving a doctor from the Isha Yoga Centre.
The Isha Foundation issued a statement dismissing the allegations as baseless. “Isha Foundation was founded by Sadhguru to impart yoga and spirituality to people. We believe that adult individuals have the freedom and wisdom to choose their path,” the statement read.
