In a big relief for Sadhguru, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a Habeus Corpus petition against the Isha Foundation, which accused the spiritual leader's ashram of holding captive two women.

The petition, filed by Dr S Kamaraj, a retired professor, alleged that his two daughters, Geetha, 42, and Latha, 39, had been "brainwashed" into joining Sadhguru's ashram in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore, and have been denied contact with their family.

Dismissing the case, a three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said that the Madras High Court - which ordered an inquiry into the habeas corpus petition- acted in a "completely inappropriate" manner and had "exceeded jurisdiction" by not closing proceedings after the two women said they were living there voluntarily.

The top court noted that since neither of the women were minors (they were reportedly 27 and 24 when they joined the ashram) and that the purpose of the habeas corpus petition was fulfilled by their appearing in the High Court, "no further directions were needed" from that judicial forum. Notably, a habeas corpus petition is filed seeking direction to produce before the court a person who is missing or has been illegally detained.