Isha Foundation: SC Stays TN Police Action Against Sadhguru’s Firm

On Thursday, Supreme Court of India has ordered a stay Madras HC order demanding report on criminal cases against Sadhguru’s Isha foundation.

Madras High Court had demanded the report following a Professor’s petition claiming that his two daughters are forcefully kept in Sadhguru’s Yoga Centre.

Senior advocate, Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev demanded urgent hearing from the apex court. Responding in favor of demand, solicitor general, Tushar Mehta said the “High Court should have been very circumspect”.

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Notably, the apex court has also transferred the petition to itself that claimed of forceful detention of two young women inside the yoga center in Coimbatore.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. They enquire women privately through video conferencing. One of the women alleged that their father has been ‘harassing’ them from over past 8 years.

Observing the decision and staying police action against yoga center in Coimbatore, CJI noted, “These are issues of religious freedom. This is a very urgent and serious case. This is about Isha Foundation, there is Sadhguru who is very revered and has lakhs of followers. The high court cannot start such enquiries on oral assertions.”

Further more, the apex court has asked the state police to submit the status report to the top court.

What is the case

A retired professor filed a petition in Madras High Court. Professor, in plea alleged that Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has brainwashed his well educated daughters to permanently live at Isha yoga center at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

Notably, TN police with strong contingent of around 150 personnel inspected the foundation’s yoga center. The inspection was to assess the condition in there.  Coimbatore district superintendent of police K Karthikeyan and District Social Welfare Officer R Ambika led the inspection contingent.