"We want to know why a person who had given his daughter  in marriage  and made her settle well in life is encouraging the daughters of others to tonsure their heads and live the life of a hermitess. That is the doubt’’.  These were observations of the division bench of Justice S M Subramanium and Justice V Sivagnanam of the Madras High Court while hearing a  habeas corpus petition filed by S Kamaraj, a retired professor from Coimbatore, alleging ‘detention’ of his two daughters by the Isha Foundation's Yoga Centre.  The  court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to submit details of all criminal cases registered against spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation.

Taking serious note  of  multiple criminal complaints against the Foundation, the bench said  the issue deserved further deliberation.

''The learned counsel for the petitioner would also submit that there are several other criminal cases registered and allegations are pending. In view of the serious nature of the allegations raised against the institution and the way and the manner in which the detenues have spoken before us, we could form an opinion that some more delebrations are required to understand the truth behind the allegations. Therefore, the petitioner shall produce the details of criminal cases registered against the institution and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor also shall collect all those case details and place before us for further consideration.''

The instant case  originated with a  habeas corpus petition filed by S. Kamaraj,  alleging that his two ‘’well-educated daughters’’ aged 42 and 39 year, equipped with a Master's degree in Engineering, were ‘brainwashed’ into residing at the  Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore  and are being converted as ‘monks’. It was his case that  the  authorities at the Foundation prohibited  his   daughters  from maintaining any  contact with their families.  He further apprised  the court that there  were  several criminal cases and allegations of   sexual  harassment and misconduct pending  against the Foundation including  a criminal case under POCSO that had  been registered against a doctor who is working in the aforesaid  institution.

Complying with the court’s previous order the women presented themselves before the court but it was their statement that they were at the Foundation at their own free will and no one was coercing them into this. Unconvinced, the judges decided to interact with them in the chambers.        

To seek more clarity on  ‘‘further doubts’’ the Court questioned the counsel appearing for the Foundation about Jaggi   Vasudev's motives, expressing concerns about why he ensured his own daughter married and settled into a comfortable life, while simultaneously advocating for other women to forsake material pursuits and adopt a renunciatory lifestyle.

“We want to know why a person who had given his daughter in marriage and made her settle well in life is encouraging the daughters of others to tonsure their heads and live the life of a hermitess. That is the doubt,” the Bench orally remarked.

Thus, with reference to the said allegations, Coimbatore Rural Police, having jurisdiction, shall conduct an enquiry and file a status report before the Court.

The Court will hear the matter further on October 4, 2024.

Advocates for the petitioner: M. Purushothoman and M. Prabaharan

Advocates for the respondent State government: Additional Public Prosecutor E Raj Thilak

Advocate for the respondent Isha Foundation: M Suresh and Advocate S Rajendra Kumar

Case details: S Kamaraj v. State of Madras