Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a significant relief for spiritual leader Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed in the Madras High Court alleging that two women had been “brainwashed” into joining the ashram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The petition was filed by the father of the women, who claimed that his daughters were being unlawfully detained and denied family contact.
A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled that the two women, Geeta and Lata, were adults and had chosen to live at the ashram of their “own free will.” At the time they joined, they were 27 and 24 years old. The Supreme Court emphasized that habeas corpus petitions are designed to ensure personal liberty, and since the women had appeared before the High Court, no further judicial action was necessary.
“Completely Inappropriate” Inquiry by Madras High Court
The Supreme Court also criticized the Madras High Court for ordering a police inquiry into the ashram, which resulted in a raid by hundreds of officers. The top court labeled the High Court’s actions as “completely inappropriate,” pointing out that such proceedings should not be used to tarnish the reputation of individuals or institutions without valid grounds.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Isha Foundation, highlighted that a status report from Tamil Nadu Police confirmed the voluntary residence of the two women at the ashram. One of the sisters also appeared before the Supreme Court via video link, reiterating that she and her sister were willing residents and that their father had been harassing them for years.
“Win Their Confidence”
The Supreme Court advised the father to focus on rebuilding trust with his daughters rather than pursuing legal action. “You cannot control the lives of grown children,” the court remarked in oral observations.
Counter-Petition and Allegations Against Isha Foundation
In a separate development, Tamil Nadu Police had filed a counter-petition citing other concerns related to the Isha Foundation. These included reports of missing persons who had been associated with the ashram, as well as a case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) involving a doctor employed by the Isha Outreach program. Additionally, a sexual assault complaint was lodged by a Delhi woman, alleging an incident during a yoga course at the ashram in 2021.
Despite these broader concerns, the Supreme Court’s ruling on this particular case only addressed the habeas corpus petition related to the two women, offering a significant legal victory for the Isha Foundation and its founder, Sadhguru.