Top court closes Isha Foundation case: Proceedings can’t be to malign institutions

The Supreme Court on Friday closed proceedings in an 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 (produce the body) plea. “These proceedings cannot be to malign people and malign institutions,” the Chief Justice remarked during the hearing.
The habeas corpus plea, originally 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’s ashram in Coimbatore. The Madras High Court called for a police inquiry and questioned the women, which led to the current Supreme Court review. Despite their statements affirming they were free to leave, the case lingered in the courts.
The Tamil Nadu Police also raised broader concerns about the Isha Foundation. In a counter-petition, the police highlighted missing persons cases linked to the foundation. According to Coimbatore Superintendent of Police K Karthikeyan, six missing persons cases have been registered at the Alandurai Police Station over the past 15 years, with five cases closed and one still under investigation.
During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Isha Foundation, informed the top court that the women had voluntarily joined the ashram when they were 24 and 27 years old and that the claims of illegal confinement were unfounded.
“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.
The Supreme Court clarified that its 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.
The Chief Justice said that when women and minors are involved, an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is necessary. He directed Rohatgi to impress upon Isha Foundation the need to comply with these requirements. He also suggested that the state should get in touch with the organisation to ensure compliance.