Isha Foundation Files Defamation Suit Against Tamil Media Outlet Nakkheeran And Google—Here's All About The Case

On Monday (2 December), the Isha Foundation, filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of allegedly defamatory videos posted by the Tamil media outlet Nakkheeran. The foundation has also sought Rs 3 crore in damages from Nakkheeran and its editor Gopal for publishing content that it claims maligns its reputation.

The foundation named Google LLC as a defendant due to the defamatory material appearing in Google search results and on YouTube, a platform owned by Google. Isha Foundation claims that the videos and reports published by Nakkheeran accuse the organisation of various misconducts, including exploitation, brainwashing, and engaging in illegal activities.

Additionally, the reports allege that individuals at the foundation were being held against their will or coerced into certain actions, which the foundation denies.

The attorney representing Isha Foundation, argued that Nakkheeran’s articles were not only defamatory but also appeared despite a Supreme Court ruling in October 2023.

The Supreme Court had dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a father, alleging that his two daughters had been “brainwashed” by the Isha Foundation and were being held at its yoga center against their will.

The court, in its judgment, had noted that both women were adults and had expressed their wishes to live at the Isha Yoga Centre of their own free will. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, emphasised that, after speaking to the women, it was clear they had voluntarily chosen to stay at the center.

"We had spoken to both the ladies and recorded. Both of them said that they are living there on free will and we need to close the habeas corpus plea," CJI Chandrachud said at the time. The court’s order concluded the habeas corpus petition, although it clarified that the decision would not prevent any further police investigations into the matter if warranted.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Isha Foundation claims that Nakkheeran continued to publish critical and defamatory content about the organisation. The foundation alleges that these reports were intended to harm its reputation and to cast doubt on its practices.

As a result, Isha Foundation moved the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of the videos and articles and demanding financial compensation for the damage caused.

Justice Subramonium Prasad, presiding over the case, issued notice to the defendants, including Nakkheeran, its editor, and Google, and scheduled the matter for hearing in April 2025. The court also noted that the foundation had chosen not to file a request for an interim injunction at this stage.