New Delhi | July 16, 2025

The legal tussle between spiritual organization Isha Foundation, led by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, and Tamil media house Nakkheeran Publications has now reached the Supreme Court. Alleging a sustained smear campaign through “baseless” digital content, Isha Foundation has approached the apex court seeking urgent curbs on further publication and circulation of what it calls “malicious and defamatory” material.

 

 

Over the past several months, Nakkheeran’s editor, Gopal, has publicly released a series of digital reports targeting Isha Foundation’s functioning, including serious  but unverified  claims regarding the treatment of children and alleged illegal activities on its premises.

 

According to the Foundation, the content was deliberately constructed to provoke public outrage and damage its reputation  particularly on social media where video clips titled “Sadhguru EXPOSED” amassed hundreds of thousands of views.

 

In December 2024, Isha filed a civil defamation suit in the Delhi High Court demanding ₹3 crore in damages, and also sought takedown of the videos from YouTube, X, and Facebook.

 

In a significant interim ruling issued in March 2025, the Delhi High Court directed the removal of the specific video content, stating that it “prima facie appears to be defamatory.” The court also barred further uploads or reposts of the video on any public platform.

 

With the matter pending final adjudication in the High Court, Isha has now escalated its plea to the Supreme Court, citing continuing reputational harm and the risk of further circulation of the “defamatory narrative.”

 

 

The petition before the Supreme Court seeks:

• A comprehensive restraining order on Nakkheeran Publications and affiliated channels from releasing any further content related to the Foundation pending the outcome of the defamation suit.

• Stronger accountability directives for social media platforms regarding takedown compliance.

• A declaration of legal protection against “motivated media attacks” without factual backing.

 

 

On its part, Nakkheeran has not backed down. In its own communications, the media outlet has defended the stories as “investigative journalism in the public interest” and accused Isha Foundation of using legal pressure to silence critique.

 

In retaliation, Nakkheeran had also issued a ₹1.5 crore counterclaim, alleging harassment and wrongful censorship.

 

 

This clash is more than just about a video takedown or a damages claim. It strikes at the heart of an ongoing national debate  how should Indian courts handle the tension between freedom of the press and protection of reputation, especially in the era of viral misinformation?

 

If the Supreme Court accepts Isha’s request for preemptive censorship, it could set a precedent for other spiritual, religious, or even corporate entities to curb media criticism through legal injunctions.