The Supreme Court today stayed the directions issued by the Madras High Court directing an investigation into spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation. The order was passed after the foundation moved the apex court against a Madras High Court order directing the Tamil Nadu government to submit the details of all criminal cases registered.
The order was passed after Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi mentioned the matter before the bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The Chief Justice stated that these issues of religious freedom are very urgent and serious. He added that the case is about Isha Foundation, and there is Sadhguru who is very revered and has lakhs of followers. He mentioned that the High Court cannot start such enquiries on oral assertions.
The bench interacted with two women, who stated that nobody was detaining them. Therefore, it ordered that the case shall be transferred to the Supreme Court from Madras High Court. It further asked the original petitioner to appear on virtual platforms or through its counsel. It directed that the police submit a status report, adding that the police cannot take any further action in pursuance of directions of the High Court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also supported Isha Foundation’s case stating that the High Court should have been very circumspect. The order by the High Court was passed in a habeas corpus petition lodged by S Kamaraj, a retired professor from Coimbatore. The petitioner informed the Court of multiple criminal cases and allegation of sexual harassment and misconduct pending against the foundation.
The Madras High Court stated that since there are multiple criminal complaints against the Foundation, the issue deserved further deliberation. It further expressed serious doubts about why Vasudev had given his daughter in marriage and made her settle well in life but was encouraging other women to renounce their material life.
Following, the High Court passed directions seeking details of criminal cases against Isha Foundation. After the order, a police party conducted a raid at the ashram. Subsequently, the Foundation moved the apex court by way of appeal.