On 2 December 2024, the Isha Foundation filed a defamation lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against Tamil media outlet Nakkheeran and its editor, Gopal. The foundation is seeking the removal of allegedly defamatory videos and reports and has claimed damages amounting to ₹3 crore.
The lawsuit also names Google LLC as a defendant, citing that the content appears on Google search results and YouTube, a company-owned platform. According to the Isha Foundation, the videos published by Nakkheeran contain accusations of misconduct, including exploitation, coercion, and illegal activities.
The contested reports also allege that individuals at the foundation were being held against their will or forced into specific actions. The foundation has denied these allegations, pointing out that the claims persist despite a recent Supreme Court ruling dismissing a related habeas corpus petition.
In October 2023, the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed by a father alleging that his two daughters had been brainwashed and detained at the Isha Yoga Center. The court, after directly speaking to the women, ruled that they were adults who had willingly chosen to reside at the center. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated, “Both of them said they are living there of their own free will,” closing the habeas corpus case while clarifying that the decision would not hinder any legitimate police investigations.
Isha Foundation argues that, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nakkheeran continued to publish critical reports, which the foundation claims are defamatory and intended to harm its reputation. The organisation maintains that the allegations are baseless and malicious.
The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Subramonium Prasad, has issued notices to Nakkheeran, its editor, and Google, setting the next hearing for April 2025. At this stage, Isha Foundation has opted not to request an interim injunction against the content.
(With inputs from Swarajya)
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