Supreme Court stays Tamil Nadu Police action against Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Madras high court order that sought a report from the Tamil Nadu Police on all criminal cases registered against Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation, news agency PTI reported.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the foundation, had sought an urgent hearing from the top court and the Centre has responded in favour of it. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said the “High Court should have been very circumspect”.

The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also transferred the habeas corpus petition, alleging forceful detention of two young women by the foundation, from the high court to itself.

The bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, enquired the two women in private via video conferencing before passing final orders. One of the women alleged that their father has been “harassing” them over the past 8 years.

“These are issues of religious freedom. This is a very urgent and serious case. This is about Isha Foundation, there is Sadhguru who is very revered and has lakhs of followers. The high court cannot start such enquiries on oral assertions,” said CJI Chandrachud, Bar and Bench reported.

The Supreme Court also restrained the Tamil Nadu Police from taking any further action as per the directions of high court and asked it to submit the status report to the top court itself.