NEW DELHI: In a major relief for Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the Supreme Court on Friday closed habeas corpus proceedings against Isha Foundation, initiated by the Madras High Court on a plea raised by a man against alleged detention of his two adults daughters, but asked it to ensure compliance with secular laws.
Supreme Court Criticizes Madras High Court for Expanding Habeas Corpus Proceedings Beyond Jurisdiction
A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it was inappropriate for the High Court to enlarge the ambit of the habeas corpus proceedings as the jurisdiction of the High Court is well defined. The court felt it was unnecessary for the High Court to expand the proceedings.
Two women monks, aged 39 yrs and 42 yrs, had earlier told the court that they are voluntarily residing there without any coercion.
The court also noted that the Tamil Nadu police, in a status report, have not found any evidence supporting allegations of illegal confinement at the Isha Foundation.
Isha Foundation Assures Compliance with Secular Laws; Tamil Nadu Police Find No Evidence of Illegal Confinement
Before closing the proceedings before the High Court, the court allowed a plea by senior advocate Sidharth Luthra on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government that its order would not come in the way of further investigation of the state in accordance with law.
The bench noted that for instance in the report it is mentioned that for women and children there has to be an internal complaints committee.
“The idea here is not to malign somebody but there are certain secular compliances which are required," the bench said.
During the hearing, a counsel, representing the father of the women monks, made submissions before the bench. The CJI told the counsel that when you have grown children who are majors, you cannot file a complaint to control their lives.
The bench said relationships between grown up children and parents are never governed by filing petitions and these are not minor custody issues.
“However, grave the anguish maybe, but she is a major,” the bench said.
The bench also recorded Isha Foundation's statement that if there is any regulatory compliance, the foundation would comply with it earnestly.
The bench also criticised MP OBC Mahasabha, represented by advocate Varun Thakur, for intervening into the matter as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, raised grave suspicion about the intention of the intervener.
The police initiated the investigation after an order passed by the Madra High Court on September 30, directing it to probe claims that two women, aged 38 and 42, were being held against their will at the ashram in Thondamuthur, Coimbatore.
The status report, prepared by the Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore, both women categorically denied their father’s claims, asserting that they were living at the ashram of their own volition. The women made it clear that they had willingly chosen the monastic path at the Isha Yoga Centre and were not under any pressure or coercion.
On October 3, the Supreme Court transferred to itself the petition pending before the Madras High Court, in which the high court had directed the police to report on criminal cases registered against the Isha Yoga Foundation. After interacting with the two women monks, the bench said the women informed the judges that they are staying voluntarily and they do not want to leave the ashram.
Isha Foundation filed the plea in the Supreme Court against an order passed by the high court, seeking a report from the Tamil Nadu government on all criminal cases registered against him and the foundation.
