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Synopsis

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad directed CBI to file a fresh affidavit regarding the whereabouts and arrest of self-styled spiritual preacher, Virendra Dev Dixit, and further directed the concerned Superintendent of Police, CBI to be personally present in the High Court on the next date of hearing, i.e. November 10, 2022.

The Amicus Curiae, Advocate Akanksha Kaul informed the bench that videos are being uploaded by Virender Dev Dixit, and one was even uploaded in August 2022. She also stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should take steps to arrest Dixit who is a proclaimed offender.

The division bench noted that Virender Dev Dixit, the institution's Chief, has been declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO), and his whereabouts are unknown and stated that “It is really strange that there is no report from the CBI in respect of arrest of Mr. Virender Dev Dixit (Proclaimed Offender).”

The bench also directed the Counsel appearing for the Ashram to get itself registered under the Women and Children’s Institutions (Licensing) Act, 1956.

Earlier, the division bench had sought the assistance of former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on a plea related to the welfare of women living in Rohini’s Ashram founded by self-styled spiritual preacher Virender Dev Dixit.

During the hearing, Kiran Bedi submitted two written submissions before the bench and stated that the report submitted was crisp and sharp, and based on strong evidence.

The counsel for Ashram opposed the Status report submitted by Bedi and argued that the petitioner is a fake Non-government Organization (NGO) and that the other petitioner is related to the opponent Ashram.

Counsel also referred to a report dated July 27, 2018, submitted by the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) and stated that there was no report of sexual, physical, or any other harassment by the residents living in the Ashram and that there was no sign of psychological or any other stress in the residents.

Over the admission of a 17-year-old girl, the Counsel contended that she was admitted as her mother was along with her. It is further stated that during the joining of each and every male and female resident, the Ashram takes a copy of the Aadhar Card and Identity Cards of residents along with an affidavit from them that the residents would follow throughout their life. It was also contended that all such documents are with the Ashram.

Counsel also stated that the Ashram follows Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and that all are equal, there are no Senior, Junior, or posts in their organization, and that they all are happy.

In April, a division bench of acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla expressed grave concern. It directed a committee to be formed to supervise the functioning of the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya, which has been in the news for allegedly committing human rights violations against its 162 female inmates. 

Case Title: DUMPALA MEENAVATHI AND ANR. v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. along with FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT v. UNION OF INDIA