SC closes case against Isha Foundation: 'Both women living on free will'

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday closed proceedings in a case of illegal confinement against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation, India Today reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud closed the case after two women, whose parents accused the foundation of having ‘brainwashed’ them and holding them in there against their will, said they are voluntarily residing at the organisation's ashram.

The apex court pulled up the Madras High Court for ordering a police investigation in the ashram over a habeas corpus petition (produce the body)filed by the women’s parents.

During the hearing of the case, the Chief Justice remarked that ‘These proceedings cannot be to malign people and malign institutions’.

After their parents filed the petition against the foundation, alleging that the two women aged 39 and 42 were held there against their will, the Madras High Court ordered a police investigation.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Isha Foundation, told the court that the women had voluntarily joined the ashram when they were 24 and 27 years old.

After having virtual interaction with the two women and recording their statements, Chief Justice Chandrachud said that the case should have been closed after the women had testified that they were living at the ashram at their free will.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said: ‘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’.

However, the apex court made it clear that its ruling was linked to the habeas corpus petition and would not interfere with the police investigation being carried out against the foundation.