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In a major relief for Sadhguru, the Supreme Court on Friday canceled all proceedings against the Isha Foundation in connection with a claim made by a father that his two daughters had been ‘brainwashed’ into joining the ashram in Coimbatore. The petition filed by the father, which alleged unlawful detention, was dismissed as both daughters – Geeta and Lata – were adults and living in the ashram willingly, without any coercion, according to a ruling by a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
Notably, the Apex Court gave its verdict for this case only, acknowledging that a doctor was charged with child abuse in the ashram.
Regarding the brainwashed matter, the judges stated that the Madras High Court that ordered a thorough probe into the habeas corpus petition following a police raid at the ashram, ‘acted in a “completely inappropriate” manner.’
The Supreme Court has noted that the two daughters in question, being 27 and 24 years old, were adults when they joined the ashram. Consequently, as they responded in the High Court answering the purpose of the habeas corpus appeal, the court “didn’t need any further guidance.” The Chief Justice raised the issue that such proceedings shouldn’t be wielded as a weapon to smear “people and their groups,” according to the legal news platform, Live Law.
Earlier in the month, the top-tier Supreme Court took the reins on a case previously under the Madras High Court and put an end to an order which would have prompted the police to investigate allegations made by a father. This decision came after a tumultuous period during which numerous police officers executed search warrants at the Isha Foundation in accordance with the High Court’s instructions. This police activity triggered an appeal that led to the current Supreme Court hearing, seeking to challenge the lawfulness of the investigation within the sanctuary of the ashram. Throughout this ordeal, the Isha Foundation has been defiant, staunchly denying any allegations. They emphasized that the two concerned women, in their early 40s, were not coerced but stayed voluntarily. Backing the Foundation’s assertion, the women willingly testified in the High Court and one of them even made an appearance before the Supreme Court through a video conference.
Th woman told judges that she and her sister were willingly residing at the ashram and their father had been harassing them for the past eight years, adding that their mother also harassed them.
Presiding attorney Mukul Rohatgi, representing Isha Foundation, underscored today that the Tamil Nadu Police’s status report makes it clear: the women residing in the ashram are doing so willingly.
Meanwhile, the father was dealt sobering advice from the honorable court – he must realize that he does not have the authority to direct the lives of his grown-up children. The orally delivered counsel was: build a bridge of trust rather than seeking the assistance of the law.
“Many People Have Gone Missing…”
In a counter-petition, the state Police stated that several people who entered the foundation had been reported missing. The petition also mentioned a POCSO case against a doctor who was employed by the Isha Outreach programme.
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