Supreme Court: The 3-Judge Bench of Dr DY Chandrachud, CJ, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, JJ., on 3-10-2024, put a stay on Madras High Court’s order dated 30-9-2024, whereby which the High Court had directed the petitioner to produce the details of criminal cases registered against the institution. The Court also directed the police to not take any further action in pursuance of the impugned order of the High Court. The 3-Judge Bench further directed the transfer of the instant case from Madras High Court to Supreme Court.
The matter revolves around a habeas corpus petition filed in the Madras High Court by a father of 2 daughters. The petitioner came before the High Court stating that he educated his daughters up to Master’s level in Engineering. However, both daughters subsequently joined the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore. The petitioner alleged that the foundation is engaging in manipulative practices, effectively brainwashing individuals and making them monks. He also raised serious concerns about the environment within the institution, stating that it has been widely criticized. Additionally, the petitioner pointed to a recent criminal case under the POCSO Act involving a doctor associated with the foundation, who is accused of molesting 12 girls at a local Adivasi government school.
In view of the serious nature of the allegations raised against the institution, the division bench of S.M. Subramaniam and V. Sivagnanam, JJ., opined that some more deliberations are required to understand the truth behind the allegations.
Furthermore, the Additional Public Prosecutor was directed to collect all those case details and place them before the Court for further consideration. With reference to the said allegations, the High Court had directed the Coimbatore Rural Police to conduct an enquiry and file a status report. The matter was scheduled to be taken up on 4-10-2024.
Aggrieved with the afore-stated order, Isha Foundation therefore, filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Source: Press
