The Gujarat High Court has rejected a 2019 petition submitted by a man who accused self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda of unlawful confinement of his two daughters.
The case was heard by a division bench of Justice A.Y. Kogje and Justice Rajendra M. Sareen.
The final verdict in the case is still pending. The court passed the order in favour of the girls after ensuring they are safe via a video-conferencing link on January 10, wherein the girls put forward their points.
Justice Kogje pointed out that the communication with the girls revealed that they were not unlawfully confined and they left India on their free will. The two girls "have decided to continue to reside there and follow the spiritual path which they have consciously decide to follow," added the judge
“They have also indicated about the spiritual sessions which they undertake which are followed by many people all across the world. The court finding the same to be reliable is unable to conclude that the corpora are in any manner under any duress or influence,” Justice Kogje said.
The judge added that "having interviewed both the corpora, the Court is satisfied that both are adults, mature enough to understand their well being and apparently are happy at the place where they are presently residing and on their spiritual path.”
The case pertains to a petition filed by Janardana Sharma and wife, seeking Gujarat High Court's assistance in reuniting with their two daughters who they alleged were unlawfully confined at an ashram operated by Nithyananda.
