The Supreme Court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a father against Sadhguru's Isha Yoga Centre.

New Delhi [India], October 18: The Supreme Court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a father who claimed that his two daughters were being held captive at the Isha Yoga Centre, run by spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev, and were being brainwashed. 

A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra noted that the two daughters, aged 39 and 42, are adults and have voluntarily chosen to reside at the Ashram. The court stated that they are free to leave whenever they wish. 

The bench concluded that no further directions were necessary regarding the habeas corpus petition and ordered its closure. "Since both of them are adults and the purpose of habeas corpus was fulfilled, no further directions were needed from the High Court," the apex court said. 

Earlier, the Supreme Court had taken over the habeas corpus petition from the Madras High Court and had prohibited the Tamil Nadu police from taking any action against the Isha Yoga Centre based on the Madras High Court's orders. 

During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Isha Foundation, objected to the High Court’s directions to the police, arguing that the habeas corpus petition should have been closed instead. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Tamil Nadu, mentioned that during a police visit to the Ashram, some regulatory non-compliance issues were observed, including the absence of an internal complaint committee.

The Chief Justice remarked on the necessity of having an internal complaint committee when women and minors are involved, emphasizing that it was not to malign the organization but to ensure compliance with required regulations. 

The bench clarified that closing the proceedings would not impact any other regulatory obligations of the Isha Foundation, and Mr. Rohatgi assured that all requirements would be duly met. 

Addressing the father’s counsel, the bench stated, "When you have grown children who are majors, you cannot file a complaint to control their lives." 

On September 30, the Madras High Court had noted serious allegations against the institution and sought information regarding any criminal cases against the Isha Foundation. The Supreme Court previously interacted with the two sisters virtually, who confirmed that they were staying at the Ashram voluntarily since 2009, with their parents visiting them on several occasions.

The habeas corpus petition was filed by S. Kamaraj, a retired professor from Coimbatore, who alleged that his daughters were brainwashed into living at the Isha Yoga Centre and were being prevented from contacting their family. The Isha Foundation has denied these allegations.