The Madras High Court on Monday instructed the Tamil Nadu government to provide a detailed account of all criminal cases filed against spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation.

A bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and V. Sivagnanam noted the existence of several criminal complaints against the Foundation, warranting a more thorough examination of the matter.

“The learned counsel for the petitioner would also submit that there are several other criminal cases registered and allegations are pending. In view of the serious nature of the allegations raised against the institution and the way and the manner in which the detenues have spoken before us, we could form an opinion that some more deliberations are required to understand the truth behind the allegations. Therefore, the petitioner shall produce the details of criminal cases registered against the institution and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor also shall collect all those case details and place before us for further consideration,” the High Court said.

The Court also raised significant concerns, questioning why Jaggi Vasudev had arranged for his daughter’s marriage and ensured her a comfortable life, while simultaneously encouraging other women to renounce their material lives.

“We want to know why a person who had given his daughter in marriage and made her settle well in life is encouraging the daughters of others to tonsure their heads and live the life of a hermitess. That is the doubt,” the Bench orally remarked.

The bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by S. Kamaraj, a retired professor from Coimbatore. Kamaraj alleged that his two “well-educated daughters,” aged 42 and 39, had been “brainwashed” into residing at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, where they were not allowed to maintain any contact with their family.

Kamaraj also informed the Court about several criminal cases and allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct pending against the Foundation.

Both women appeared in Court, complying with its earlier directive. They stated they were staying at the Foundation of their own accord and were not being coerced, but the judges decided to engage with them privately in chambers.

After this interaction, the Court expressed “further doubts” and questioned the counsel representing the Foundation about why Jaggi Vasudev encouraged other women to renounce worldly life, despite ensuring that his own daughter was married and well settled.

The Court has scheduled the next hearing for October 4.

Advocates M. Purushothoman and M. Prabaharan represented the petitioner, Kamaraj. Additional Public Prosecutor E. Raj Thilak appeared for the State government, while Advocates M. Suresh and S. Rajendra Kumar represented the Isha Foundation.

Case Study: S Kamaraj vs The State