The Delhi High Court has declined to intervene in an adult woman's decision to continue living at the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya ashram in Delhi despite objections from her parents.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia held that the Court cannot compel an adult to live at a particular place when she has stated that she is staying at the ashram voluntarily.
Background Of The Case
The woman's parents had approached the High Court claiming that their daughter was being illegally confined at the Rohini ashram. They had also raised concerns about her health and alleged that she was being subjected to coercion.
On August 24, the Court had directed the Delhi Police to conduct a preliminary inquiry into her whereabouts. The police subsequently confirmed that the woman was at the ashram and interacted with inmates there.
During the latest hearing, the woman told the Court that she had been living there since 2015 because of her spiritual inclination and that she was staying there without fear or coercion.
Court's Observation
The Bench emphasised that the woman was an adult and had the constitutional freedom to decide where she wished to reside.
“She is an adult. Can the Court direct someone to go to a particular place or not to go?”
The Court also noted that there was no statement from any inmate indicating that residents were being prevented from leaving the ashram.
At the same time, the Bench took note of concerns surrounding the management and functioning of the ashram, including questions about its ownership, funding, electricity connections and the absence of a sanctioned building plan. These issues were kept for consideration on the next date.
Decision
Finding no basis to compel the woman to leave the ashram or visit her parents against her stated wishes, the Delhi High Court disposed of the application.
The Court recorded that she was residing there of her own accord and without coercion.
