The Supreme Court on Friday concluded proceedings in a case of alleged illegal confinement against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation, following statements from two women who confirmed they were residing at the ashram voluntarily and without coercion.
While closing the case, a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud criticized the Madras High Court’s order for a police investigation based on a habeas corpus petition. “These proceedings cannot be used to malign people and institutions,” the Chief Justice remarked during the hearing.
The habeas corpus petition, initially filed by the parents of the two women, aged 39 and 42, alleged that they were being held against their will at the Isha Foundation ashram in Coimbatore. Despite the women’s assurances that they were free to leave, the case persisted in the courts after the Madras High Court ordered a police inquiry and questioned the women, prompting the Supreme Court’s review.
In addition, the Tamil Nadu Police raised broader concerns about the Isha Foundation. In a counter-petition, they noted several missing persons cases linked to the foundation. According to Coimbatore Superintendent of Police K Karthikeyan, six cases had been registered at the Alandurai Police Station over the past 15 years, with five resolved and one still under investigation.
During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Isha Foundation, informed the court that the women had voluntarily joined the ashram at the ages of 24 and 27, refuting the allegations of illegal confinement.
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“The women even participated in public events, like a 10 km marathon, and are in regular contact with their parents,” Rohatgi said.
After a virtual interaction with the two women, Chief Justice Chandrachud said the court had spoken to both women and recorded their statements. He stated that the case should have been dropped after both women testified that they were living at the ashram of their own free will.
“We have spoken to both individuals, who have clearly expressed their voluntary stay at the Isha Foundation. Once that is established, no further direction is needed in this habeas corpus case,” he said.
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