Tamil Nadu police launch inquiry against Sadhguru's Isha Foundation after Madras High Court order

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday launched an inquiry against Isha Foundation run by yoga guru Jaggi Vasudev over several allegations, a day after the Madras High Court sought a status report on all criminal cases registered against the organisation.

A multi-departmental team led by K Karthikeyan, Coimbatore Rural District Superintendent of Police, and consisting of officials from the Social Welfare Department and the District Child Protection Committee launched the inquiry at the sprawling premises of Isha Foundation in Thondamuthur.

“We have launched an inquiry based on the court order,” a senior police official told DH from Coimbatore. The police team sought details of cases registered against the foundation in the past and inquired with several inmates about their condition in the ashram.

The inquiry comes a day after the court ordered the police to conduct an enquiry and file a report on a habeas corpus petition filed by retired professor S Kamaraj, who alleged that his two daughters were being held captive at the ashram.

The police inquiry also sought details about a case filed under Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act last week against a doctor working with the foundation. “We also conducted enquiries on all inmates staying at the campus,” the official added.

Officials from the District Child Protection Committee and Social Welfare Department accompanied the police team due to the POCSO case filed against the doctor.

“We will have to file a status report before the court and our inquiry will cover the allegations by a father that two of his daughters have been forcibly made inmates of the ashram and complaints of child sexual abuse by a doctor working there,” another officer said.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Isha Foundation admitted that a team led by the district SP was conducting an inquiry at the premises and that there were no searches. “They are enquiring with residents and volunteers, understanding the lifestyle, understanding how they come in and stay etc,” the spokesperson said.

The foundation also said the two women have clearly stated that they are staying in Isha Yoga Centre out of their own volition. “Now that the matter is seized by the court, we hope truth will prevail and there is an end to all the unnecessary controversies created,” the foundation said.

The division bench of justices S M Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam had on Monday asked why Jaggi Vasudev was encouraging other women to shave their heads while marrying off his own daughter.

“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,” the judges said in their order.