Top Court closes proceedings against Isha Foundation

The Supreme Court on Friday closed proceedings in illegal confinement against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation following statements from two women who said they are voluntarily residing at the organisation's ashram without coercion.

While closing the matter, the bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud pulled up the Madras High Court over its orders for a police investigation on a habeas corpus (bring the body) plea. "These proceedings cannot be to malign people and malign institutions," the Chief Justice remarked during the hearing.

The petition - claiming unlawful detention - was rejected as both Geeta and Lata were adults and living in the ashram of their "own free will", the bench ruled.

At the same time, the Supreme Court clarified that it's ruling only pertained to the habeas corpus plea and that it would not interfere with any ongoing police investigations, which the state is free to pursue following acknowledgment earlier that a doctor at the ashram was recently charged with child abuse.

The Chief Justice said that when women and minors are involved, an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is necessary. He directed Mukul Rohatgi, appeared for Isha Foundation, to impress upon his client the need to comply with these requirements. He also suggested that the state should get in touch with the organisation to ensure compliance.

On the "brainwashed" matter it said the Madras High Court - which ordered an inquiry into the habeas corpus petition, after which police raided the ashram - acted in a "completely inappropriate" manner.

The Supreme Court noted that since neither of the daughters was a minor - they were 27 and 24 when they joined the ashram - and that the purpose of the habeas corpus petition was fulfilled by their appearing in the High Court, "no further directions were needed" from that judicial forum.

Earlier this month the Supreme Court transferred to itself the case then heard by the Madras High Court and halted an order directing police to investigate the father's allegations.

Following the High Court's order, hundreds of cops raided the Isha Foundation, prompting the appeal - against a police inquiry being conducted inside the ashram - to the Supreme Court.