Relief for Sadhguru's Isha Foundation: SC Stays Police Action, Transfers Case to Self

Tamil Nadu: In a relief to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation, the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 3, put a stay on the Madras High Court's order which sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on all criminal cases registered against him and the foundation.

Furthermore, the apex court has transferred the case to itself and asked the police to file a status report.

The bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud passed the order after interacting with two women, who were allegedly "brainwashed to reside at the foundation."

"We stay the directions of the High Court to the police," the Court said.

The court also condemned the police action after a strong group of around 150 personnel and government officials inspected the foundation's Yoga Centre in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on Tuesday.

''Police and army personnel cannot enter a place like that,' it said.

The hearing on the matter has been postponed to October 18.

The Madras High Court on September 30 had passed an interim order on a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr S Kamaraj who wanted the police to produce his two daughters, whom he alleged with held captives by the Isha Foundation.

The petitioner was a retired professor from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He has two daughters and both had masters in Engineering. Both of them joined the Isha Foundation.

The grievances of the petitioner was that the Foundation was abusing certain persons, by brainwashing and converting them as monks and not even allowing their parents and relatives to meet them.

(Inputs from PTI)