Police affirm monks at the centre are living voluntarily as inquiries into missing persons and suicides continue

The Tamil Nadu Police provided the Supreme Court with a detailed report on ongoing inquiries related to Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre, revealing a complex backdrop of missing persons and suicide cases linked to the establishment. In an affidavit submitted on October 18, 2024, police clarified that individuals reportedly detained in a habeas corpus case are residing at the centre of their own accord.

The Alandurai Police Station, which oversees the Isha Foundation, reported a total of six missing persons cases over the last 15 years. Of these, five cases were dropped, while one remains active, as the individual has yet to be located. Additionally, the police disclosed that seven cases under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)—pertaining to inquiries into suicides—have been filed in the same timeframe. Two of these cases are still under investigation due to pending forensic lab reports.

Central to the current habeas corpus case are the parents of two monk sisters, Maa Mathi and Maa Maayu. The police indicated that the sisters are living voluntarily at the Isha Yoga Centre and have maintained regular contact with their family. Records show that 10 calls were made between the sisters and their parents in 2024, with a total of 70 calls exchanged between the mother and Maa Mathi.

In their communications, the monks conveyed to the police that they are “living happily” within the Isha Yoga Centre, pursuing their path in monkhood. They have urged their parents to refrain from making false statements about them or the institution in public forums, emphasising their desire to continue on their spiritual journey unimpeded.

As part of their report, the police noted the current demographics at the Isha Yoga Centre as of October 1, 2024. The centre houses 217 Brahmacharis (monks), 2,455 volunteers, and 891 paid staff members. Additionally, there are 342 students enrolled in the Isha Home School, 175 students in Isha Sanskriti, and over 1,600 guests, including 704 international visitors.

In another development, a crematorium named ‘Kalabairavar Thagana Mandapam’ is under construction within the centre, although this has met with opposition from a local property owner, SN Subramanian. He has petitioned the Madras High Court for the removal of the construction, citing concerns regarding its impact on the surrounding area.

An expert team, including social welfare officials and psychiatrists, conducted a random survey at the Isha Yoga Centre, discovering that 45 students expressed the need for heightened awareness programmes related to child helplines, child rights, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Some individuals reported experiencing mood swings, and authorities have requested more time to observe these cases for a thorough assessment.

The police’s findings indicate that many women workers, visitors, and Brahmacharis assert they are residing at the centre voluntarily, without any coercion. However, concerns were raised regarding the internal complaints committee established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, which has reportedly been ineffective. A notice has been issued to address this issue, indicating a need for improvements in the committee’s operations.

As these cases unfold, the situation surrounding the Isha Yoga Centre continues to garner attention, with the Supreme Court and the Tamil Nadu Police navigating a landscape of public concern, familial ties, and institutional integrity.