Delhi High Court orders removal of alleged defamatory content against Isha Foundation
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The Delhi High Court on Thursday instructed the Tamil magazine Nakkheeran to remove content alleged to be defamatory towards Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation. The order, issued by Justice Subramonium Prasad, granted interim relief to the Foundation.
The Court also rejected an application from Nakkheeran seeking dismissal of the defamation suit at an early stage, permitting the case to continue.
The dispute began in 2024 when the Isha Foundation filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court, alleging that Nakkheeran and its editor published articles and videos that harmed its reputation. Google LLC was named a party because the content appeared in Google search results and was hosted on YouTube.
The Foundation stated that Nakkheeran published several reports containing serious allegations, including exploitation, brainwashing, and involvement in illegal activities, along with suggestions that individuals were forcibly or unduly influenced to remain at the Foundation’s premises. The Foundation denied all allegations, deeming them false and misleading.
It further contended that such material was published despite the Supreme Court addressing a related issue previously. The controversy originated when a man petitioned the Madras High Court, alleging his two daughters, aged 42 and 39, had been ‘brainwashed’ and were residing at the Isha Yoga Centre.
During that case, the Madras High Court requested the Tamil Nadu government to report any criminal cases filed against the Isha Foundation. The matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court.
In 2024, a Supreme Court bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India interviewed both women, who confirmed they were adults living at the Isha Yoga Centre of their own free will. The Supreme Court accordingly dismissed the habeas corpus petition but clarified that this did not preclude police from conducting separate investigations if necessary.
Following this, the Isha Foundation approached the Delhi High Court, asserting that despite the Supreme Court’s findings, Nakkheeran continued to disseminate defamatory material. The Foundation sought removal of the content and compensation for reputational damage.
Content retrieved from: https://thenewsmill.com/2026/03/delhi-high-court-orders-removal-of-alleged-defamatory-content-against-isha-foundation/.
