On October 1, 2024, a large-scale police raid was conducted at Sadhguru‘s Isha Foundation ashram in Thondamuthur, Coimbatore, following a Madras High Court directive. The raid, involving 150 officers, was triggered by a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr. S. Kamaraj, a retired professor, who claimed that his two daughters, Geetha and Latha Kamaraj, were being held against their will at the foundation.
The court raised serious concerns after hearing allegations that the Isha Foundation was “brainwashing” young women, encouraging them to renounce material life and cutting off their communication with family members. The petition also brought up a criminal case involving a doctor at the foundation accused of molesting 12 girls under the POCSO Act, intensifying the court’s scrutiny.
During the raid, police and other officials interviewed residents and inspected the premises to ensure the well-being of the ashram’s residents. The foundation, however, denied all allegations, maintaining that individuals at the ashram were there voluntarily, pursuing spiritual paths of their own choosing. The foundation also pointed out that both daughters had appeared in court earlier and confirmed they were staying there willingly.
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The raid is part of a broader investigation, with the Madras High Court asking for a detailed report on all criminal cases linked to the foundation. As of now, the foundation remains under scrutiny, and more details from the ongoing investigation are expected to emerge in the coming days.