Thu Oct 03 11:36:36 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Halts Tamil Nadu Police Inquiry into Isha Yoga Center

**New Delhi, October 4:** The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the Tamil Nadu police from conducting any further inquiry against the Isha Yoga Center, run by spiritual leader Sadhguru, in Coimbatore. The Court’s decision comes after an urgent hearing on a habeas corpus petition transferred from the Madras High Court.

The Madras High Court had ordered the police investigation following a petition filed by a father who alleged his two daughters were being held captive and brainwashed at the ashram. However, the daughters appeared before the High Court and stated they were staying at the ashram voluntarily.

Despite the daughters’ statements, the High Court directed the police to investigate allegations of a POCSO case against a doctor at the ashram and other claims of individuals being detained.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Isha Foundation, argued that the High Court should not have issued further directions after the daughters’ testimony. He highlighted the presence of a large police team at the ashram, which he considered an intrusion.

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heard the case urgently and conducted a virtual interaction with the two women monks. The women confirmed that they were staying at the ashram voluntarily and that they were free to leave.

The Court ultimately ordered the police to stop their investigation based on the High Court’s directives. The Supreme Court also asked the police to submit a status report on the matter by October 18.

The Court acknowledged that the women’s parents had visited them at the ashram on several occasions, and one of the women had even participated in a recent marathon run.

The Tamil Nadu government, represented by Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, denied allegations that the police forced ashram members to give handwritten complaints. They maintained that the police team included health officers and child welfare committee members.

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