Sadhguru's Isha Foundation challenges Madras HC order in Supreme Court

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation on Thursday moved the Supreme Court, challenging a recent Madras High Court order that sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on all criminal cases registered against the foundation and its founder.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the foundation, requested an urgent hearing from the apex court. The Centre has expressed support for the plea. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, "We will likely stay the high court order because it appears to have been passed without any prima facie reason." The CJI's bench will also interact with two women, allegedly brainwashed and detained by the foundation, before issuing an interim order.

Earlier this week, around 150 police personnel and government officials inspected the foundation’s Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by retired professor S Kamaraj. Kamaraj claimed that his two daughters were being held at the centre against their will.

Kamaraj further alleged that the foundation was engaging in brainwashing, converting individuals into monks, and restricting contact between them and their families.

However, during the court hearing, the two women testified that they were staying at the centre voluntarily, refuting their father's claims.

A bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam raised questions about the practices at the centre, including why Sadhguru encourages young women to embrace monastic life when his own daughter is married and settled.

The petitioner's counsel also highlighted several criminal cases pending against the foundation, pointing to a recent case where a doctor associated with the Isha Yoga Centre was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

In response, the court set October 4 as the deadline for the Tamil Nadu government to submit a comprehensive status report on the pending cases involving the foundation.

Meanwhile, the Isha Foundation has denied the allegations, calling them baseless.

"Isha Foundation was founded by Sadhguru to impart yoga and spirituality to people. We believe that adult individuals have the freedom and wisdom to choose their path," the foundation said in a statement.

The foundation also rejected claims of pressuring individuals into marriage or monkhood, asserting that these are personal choices. Addressing previous legal confrontations with the petitioner, the foundation accused Kamaraj and others of attempting to trespass on their premises under false pretences, filing a baseless complaint. The statement noted that the court had already stayed the submission of a final police report on that matter and clarified that there were no other criminal cases pending against them.

"Whoever indulges in spreading false information against the foundation will be strictly dealt with as per the law of the land," the statement added.