Supreme Court Halts Madras HC Probe Against Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation
In a significant relief for spiritual leader Sadhguru, the Supreme Court today stayed a Madras High Court order directing Tamil Nadu police to investigate cases filed against his Isha Foundation. The top court has now taken over the case and instructed the state police to submit a status report, pausing any further action as per the High Court’s directive.
Supreme Court Steps In to Review Case
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justice JB Pardiwala, was hearing Isha Foundation’s challenge against the Madras High Court’s order. The High Court had issued the probe directive after hundreds of police personnel entered the foundation’s premises in Coimbatore on Tuesday. The investigation was initiated following a petition by retired professor S Kamaraj, who alleged that his daughters, Geeta and Lata, were being “brainwashed” and held against their will at the Isha Yoga Centre.
Allegations and Foundation’s Response
Isha Foundation denied these allegations, stating that both women—aged 42 and 39—were staying at the ashram voluntarily. The women were produced before the Madras High Court, where they confirmed their willingness to stay. The Foundation claimed that the petitioner and others had attempted to trespass under the guise of being members of a fact-finding committee.
Supreme Court’s Observation and Further Actions
During today’s hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that a doctor associated with Isha Foundation had recently been charged with child abuse under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He stated that the probe into this specific incident must continue.
The Chief Justice also expressed concerns over the manner in which a large number of police personnel were deployed at the ashram. “You cannot let an army of police into an establishment like this,” the Chief Justice remarked, suggesting that a judicial officer be appointed to visit the premises and speak to the two women involved.
One of the women appeared before the court virtually and reiterated that they were residing at the ashram willingly. She further alleged that their father had been harassing them for the past eight years.
Supreme Court’s Next Steps
The Supreme Court has asked the petitioner, S Kamaraj, to appear before it for further proceedings. The Chief Justice clarified that the bench would speak to the women privately before making any conclusions. After a brief discussion, the court confirmed that the women had willingly joined the ashram when they were 24 and 27 years old, respectively.
The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Madras High Court’s order and conduct a thorough review of the situation has provided temporary relief to Isha Foundation. The next hearing will shed more light on the case and determine the future course of action.
