Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea To Close Ashrams Run By 'Fake Babas'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a writ petition which sought directions to close ashrams run by 'fake babas', saying that the matter did not fall within its realm.

The petition was filed by one Dumpala Ram Reddy seeking to shut down all ashrams run by "fake babas"  saying that several innocent persons, particularly women, were kept in confinement there.

The petitioner's counsel, Senior Advocate Dr Menaka Guruswamy, submitted before a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India that 'Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad' - an apex body of sages in India- has published a list of 'fake babas'.

The CJI responded that the bench cannot rely on the list prepared by 'Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad'.

"How can we rely on that list?. We do not know if the list was prepared after hearing them," the CJI said.

Dr.Guruswamy replied that the organization is highly reputed, tracing its lineage to Adi Shankaracharya.

"We are not disrespecting them. But how do we rely on this list which has been made by someone based on their own principles and thinking. How does the court know who is a fake baba and who is not?".

In response, Dr.Gurusmay submitted that the list contains names of convicted spiritual leaders like Ram Rahim Singh.

"All the more reason for people not to go to them. Why do you want the Supreme Court to say that?", the CJI said in reply.

Then, Dr.Guruswamy submitted that the Union of India was asked to respond to the petition on the last occasion and that the petitioner was seeking directions to the Centre to act against such ashrams.

The Solicitor General of India, Mr. Tushar Mehta, submitted that the Centre was opposing the petition. The SG submitted that the petitioner has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Delhi High Court seeking release of his daughter from the custody of an alleged fake baba, which is pending.

The bench expressed disinclination to entertain the petition and suggested to withdraw it.

Dr.Guruswamy agreed to withdraw the petition and accordingly the same was dismissed as withdrawn.

"Menaka Guruswamy, senior counsel appearing for petitioner (Dumpala Ramreddy) seeks permission to withdraw this petition. Permission, as sought for, is granted. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn," said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, in its order.

The petitioner stated his own daughter has been living in such an Ashram in Rohini, Delhi since 2015 which was founded by a fake Baba who is a rape accused and has been absconding for about 3 years. Apropos this, he sought directions from Court for "rescuing his daughter along with about 170 women inmates from Corona virus who are living in jail like conditions in Adhyatmika Vidyalaya at Rohini of Delhi as it was done in the case of inmates of jails across the country."

"Authorities are not verifying the facilities available in the Ashrams and the Ashrams are in very poor conditions. They does not have basic amenities and conditions are very un hygienic…considering the urgent prevailing situation due to spreading of Corona virus in the country particularly in places where social distance is not maintained such as the illegal Ashram i.e., Adhyatmika Vidyalaya at Rohini in Delhi and 16 other Bogus Ashrams set up by Bogus Babas, Petitioner prays for the intervention of this Hon'ble Court for the rescue of the Women/persons in the Ashrams", the plea had said.

The petitioner additionally sought guidelines for the establishment of Ashrams across India as well as directions to authorities to ensure a register of inmates is maintained and fake Ashrams are verified.

Click here to read/download the order