SC stays TN police action against Sadhguru's Isha Foundation
The Supreme Court has put a hold on the Madras High Court's directive for a report from the Tamil Nadu Police regarding all criminal cases filed against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation. This decision was made following an urgent hearing requested by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the foundation. The Centre also supported this request, with Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta stating that "the High Court should have been very circumspect."
SC transfers habeas corpus petition to itself
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has transferred a habeas corpus petition alleging forceful detention of two women by the foundation from the Madras High Court to itself. The two women were questioned privately via video conferencing before final orders were passed. One woman claimed that their father has been "harassing" them for the past eight years.
SC halts further police action, demands status report
The Supreme Court has also stopped the Tamil Nadu Police from proceeding with any further action as directed by the high court. Instead, it has asked for a status report to be submitted directly to itself. This decision was made in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by a retired professor who alleged that his daughters had been brainwashed by Vasudev into living permanently at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore.
Foundation denies allegations, HC seeks justice for litigants
The foundation refuted these allegations, arguing that the court could not expand the scope of this case as the daughters have admitted to living at the center out of their own volition. In response to this argument, the high court stated, "You will not understand because you are appearing for a particular party. But this court is neither for nor against anybody. We only want to do justice to the litigants."
