The Supreme Court of India has closed the habeas corpus petition filed by a father alleging that his two daughters were being illegally confined at Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. The decision came after both women, aged 42 and 39, unequivocally stated that they were residing at the Ashram of their own free will. The Supreme Court accepted their statements, confirming that the purpose of the habeas corpus petition had been fulfilled.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, took exception to the Madras High Court’s earlier decision to order a police investigation into the Isha Yoga Centre based on other allegations in the petition. "Since both of them are adults and the purpose of habeas corpus was fulfilled, no further directions were needed from the High Court," the bench observed in its ruling.
Previously, the Madras High Court had passed directions for a police inquiry into the Isha Yoga Centre after the father’s petition alleged that his daughters were being confined there. The Supreme Court, however, transferred the case from the Madras High Court and noted that such actions exceeded the scope of habeas corpus proceedings.
The bench underscored that the purpose of habeas corpus is specific and must remain within the defined jurisdiction of the court under Article 226 of the Constitution. "The jurisdiction of the court under Article 226 while dealing with habeas corpus is well defined and it would be unnecessary for this court to expand the ambit," the court noted. The justices emphasized that the legal process should not be used to malign individuals or institutions, with CJI Chandrachud stating during the hearing, "These proceedings cannot be to malign people and malign institutions."
Sadhguru's Isha Foundation had challenged the Madras High Court's order, particularly its direction for a police inquiry inside the Ashram, which houses around 5,000 residents. The Supreme Court found that such a directive was unnecessary, as the women had clearly expressed their willingness to stay at the ashram voluntarily.
The court’s ruling brings the matter to a close, reaffirming that the habeas corpus petition had served its purpose by verifying the women’s consent, and that further investigations into unrelated allegations were outside the legal scope of the case.
The Supreme Court’s decision has put an end to the legal battle over the alleged confinement of two women at the Isha Yoga Centre, reinforcing the principle that habeas corpus is limited to determining unlawful detention and should not be extended beyond its defined parameters. The case also underscores the court's role in safeguarding both individual rights and institutional integrity.
Leave Your Comment