In a significant relief for spiritual leader Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed all legal proceedings related to claims made by a father that his two daughters had been “brainwashed” into joining Sadhguru’s ashram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The petition alleged that the daughters were unlawfully detained and denied contact with their family.
However, a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled that both daughters, Geeta and Lata, were adults at the time of joining the ashram—aged 27 and 24, respectively—and were living there of their own free will. The court declared that no further directions were necessary since the daughters had already appeared before the High Court, fulfilling the purpose of the habeas corpus petition.
Madras High Court Inquiry Controversy
Earlier, the Madras High Court had ordered an inquiry into the habeas corpus petition, which led to a police raid on the Isha Foundation. The Supreme Court criticized the High Court’s actions, calling them “completely inappropriate.” According to the apex court, cases like these should not be used to malign individuals or institutions, pointing out that proceedings were being unfairly used to damage the reputation of the ashram.
The case was transferred to the Supreme Court earlier this month, where the court had temporarily halted the High Court’s order, which directed police to investigate the father’s allegations.
Isha Foundation Denies All Charges
The Isha Foundation has consistently denied the charges made against it. Geeta and Lata, who are now 42 and 39 years old, appeared before the High Court and reaffirmed that they were willing residents at the ashram. One of the sisters also spoke to the Supreme Court via video link, stating that their father had been harassing them for over eight years, and their mother had done the same.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Isha Foundation, highlighted that a report from Tamil Nadu Police supported the daughters’ claims, noting that they were living at the ashram voluntarily.
Other Allegations
Though the Supreme Court’s dismissal applies only to this specific case, the Isha Foundation has faced other controversies. There was an acknowledgment during the hearing that a doctor employed by the ashram had recently been charged with child abuse under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.
Additionally, Tamil Nadu Police had reported that several other individuals who entered the foundation had been reported missing. There was also mention of a sexual assault complaint filed by a woman from Delhi, which allegedly took place during a yoga course at the ashram in 2021.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling brings a significant victory for Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation, lifting the legal cloud surrounding the allegations of unlawful detention. The court emphasized that adults should be free to make their own life choices, and in this case, no laws had been broken. However, other legal proceedings related to separate allegations may still follow.