Tamil Nadu Police Informs Supreme Court About Cases Relating To Sadhguru's Isha Yoga Centre

The Tamil Nadu Police informed the Supreme Court on Friday (October 18) that in last few years some missing persons complaints and enquiry on suicides relating to the Isha Yoga Centre have been filed. The Police also stated that the alleged detenues in the ongoing Habeas Corpus case have been living at the centre as per their free will. 

The Affidavit states that in the last 15 years, the Alandurai Police Station, which has the Isha Foundation within its jurisdiction, has registered 6 missing cases, of which 5 had been dropped and the 6th one is under investigation since the missing person has not been traced. 

Additionally, in the last 15 years, 7 cases under S. 174 CrPC (Police Enquiry on Suicides) have been registered, out of which 2 cases are under investigation for want of Forensic Lab Report. 

With respect to the present case of habeas corpus filed by the father of the two monk sisters- Maa Mathi and Maa Maayu, the police noted that the monks are living voluntarily, and have been in regular touch with the parents. 10 phone calls were made in 2024 between them, and a total of 70 calls were made between the mother and Maa Mathi.

The monks have informed the police that "they are living happily in Isha Yoga Centre in the path of monkhood and they requested their parents to not tell any lieas about them and the institution in public and not to disturb their path."

The report filed through AoR D Kumanan states that as of October 1, there are 217 Brahmacharis, 2455 volunteers, 891 paid staffs, 147 paid workers, 342 Isha Home School students, 175 Isha Sanskriti students, 704 visitors/guests from overseas and 912 guests at cottage residing at the Isha Yoga Centre. 

A crematorium in the name of 'Kalabairavar Thagana Mandapam' inside the Yoga Centre is also being constructed. However one SN Subramanian who has property adjacent to the Foundation has raised objections to this and moved the Madras High Court for removal of the construction. 

The team of experts including individuals from the social welfare department of Coimbatore and psychiatrists informed that as per a random survey done within the premises, 45 students from Isha Home School and Sanskriti opined the need for increased awareness programmes about child helplines, child rights and POCSO Act. Few persons have also reported to have mood swings, but time is sought for observing such cases in detail. 

Further, several women workers, visitors and Brahmacharis opined that they are living at the center voluntarily without any compulsion. However, it was noted that the internal complaints committee under the POSH Act is not functioning properly and a notice has been served into that effect. 

 Other Cases Against Members Of Isha Foundation 

(1) A Case of POCSO has been registered against one Dr Saravanamoorthy who was employed by Isha Outreach for inappropriately touching yooung school girls during periodical check ups by the 'Mobile Health Centre' set up by the Foundation at a Government High School, Semmedu. Presently investigation is ongoing with recorded statement of totally 9 victim girls. Complaint against the doctor was filed on September 3.

(2) A Case of rape u/s 376 IPC has been registered by a woman from Delhi who visited the Yog Centre for a course and was allegedly raped by another participant named Naveen who came to her room after she slept taking sleeping pills on September 7, 2021. The investigation has now been transferred from Delhi to Coimbatore after the victim registered a zero FIR.

(3) A Case of criminal intimidation u/s 341, 506 IPC read with S.3 of TNPPDL Act was registered against 15 members of the Isha Yoga Centre who threatened and damaged the vehicle of the complainant who had come to verify claims of the Centre's illegal encroachment of tribal land measuring 44.3 Acres. 

On the last hearing, the Court restrained the Tamil Nadu police from conducting any further enquiry against the Isha Yoga Centre. It also transferred the habeas corpus petition, in which the High Court passed the order, from the High Court to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court further asked the Police to submit the status report to it.

Update - Supreme Court Closes Habeas Corpus Petition Against Sadhguru's Isha Yoga Centre

Case Details : ISHA FOUNDATION Versus S. KAMARAJ AND ORS.SLP(Crl) No. 13992/2024