The Gujarat High Court has rejected a man's plea for the production and release of his two daughters, whom he alleged were unlawfully confined by self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Swami Nithyananda.

In its order issued on Friday regarding Janardhana Sharma's habeas corpus petition, the high court noted that his daughters appear to be content and pursuing a spiritual journey at their current place of residence.

Relying on the testimony of the man's two daughters, aged 21 and 18, who appeared before the court via video link on January 10, 2024, a division bench of Justices AY Kogje and Rajendra M Sareen noted that the daughters affirmed they were not subjected to "illegal confinement" as alleged in the plea. Furthermore, they expressed a conscious decision to pursue a "spiritual path."

Following interviews with both individuals mentioned in the petition, the court stated, "Satisfied that both are adults and mature enough to understand their well-being and apparently are happy at the place where they are presently residing and on their spiritual path."

"In view of the aforesaid, the court deems it fit to discharge the notice and dismiss the petition accordingly. The virtual interaction with the corpora has been recorded and the registry is directed to preserve such recordings as part of the record of the case," the High Court said.

The court remarked that the interaction with the individuals through the video link suggested that they were not subjected to any illegal confinement.