'Trial by Birth Family Has Caused Pain': Women Monks After SC Dismisses Case Against Isha Foundation

New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the case against Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, stating that petitions cannot be filed to malign an organisation and that the women monks are living at the foundation out of their own free will. Responding to the apex court's judgement, Isha Foundation and the women monks Maa Mathi and Maa Mayu have hailed this decision and issued a statement.

‘Trial by Birth Family has Caused Pain’: Maa Mathi-Maa Mayu

Welcoming the verdict, Maa Mayu and Maa Mathi stated, “We are extremely happy with the Supreme Court verdict for standing up for our choice to live a monastic life. This trial by our birth family has caused us immense pain, but we are grateful to Isha volunteers and Sadhguru and well-wishers for standing with us.”

In a video, the women monks have shared what it means for them to be part of the ancient tradition of brahmacharya and Sanatana Dharma.

Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Isha Foundation

The CJI DY Chandrachud-led bench of the Supreme Court of India observed, "Both the individuals have attained the age of majority. They were majors even when they joined the Ashram. They have expressed their clear inclination to continue at Isha Foundation at Coimbatore. In this view, the purpose of the Habeas Corpus Petition is duly fulfilled. No further directions were necessary by the High Court.

The jurisdiction of the Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, while dealing with a habeas corpus petition, is well-defined. It would be unnecessary for this Court to expand the ambit of these proceedings which arose from the habeas corpus petition filed before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. We clarify that the only aspect of the matter which has been dealt with in these proceedings pertains to the habeas corpus petition and that aspect of the matter shall stand closed. Habeas Corpus Petition No 2487 of 2024, which has been directed to be transferred to this Court, shall stand disposed of."

All About Case

The high court had on September 30 passed an interim order on a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr S Kamaraj, who sought a direction to the police to produce his two daughters, whom he alleged were held captive inside the Isha Foundation before the court and set them at liberty.

The petitioner was a retired professor from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He has two daughters and both had masters in Engineering. Both of them joined the Isha Foundation. The grievances of the petitioner was that the Foundation was abusing certain persons, by brainwashing and converting them as monks and not even allowing their parents and relatives to meet them.