"No Evidence Of Illegal Activities": J&K High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging Exploitation Of Women, Illegal Acts At Adhyatmik Vishva Vidyalaya

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging illegal activities, including exploitation and confinement of women, at the centres of Adhyatmik Vishva Vidyalaya run by spiritual leader Virender Dev Dikshit.The bench, comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary concluded that the petition lacked merit after a thorough investigation by multiple committees and senior government officials.The PIL had been filed by Dogra Sangthan, a Jammu-based NGO, through its president Amit Kapoor. The petitioner alleged that the Adhyatmik Vishva Vidyalaya, under the guise of spirituality, was involved in shady activities such as illegal confinement, brainwashing, and even prostitution. The NGO claimed that women were held hostage in the ashrams, indoctrinated to believe Dikshit was an incarnation of Lord Krishna, and subjected to poor living conditions.The petitioner had sought a court-monitored probe, inspection of the centres, release of inmates, and sealing of the facilities.Taking the allegations seriously the Court had through its previous orders constituted a committee in 2018 comprising Senior Additional Advocate General Seema Shekhar, Dr. Kavita Suri (State Women Commission), and SSP Rajesh Sharma who had then visited the Bhagwati Nagar and Dayalachak centres and reported back that the at the Bhagwati Nagar center neighbors had closed windows facing the ashram but did not elaborate on reasons. At Dayalachak, inmates were evasive, and the environment raised suspicions, though no concrete evidence of wrongdoing was submitted by the committee. Furthermore, the court noted that in 2023 the Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar, personally inspected both centres and found that one center had been vacated since 2022, with no evidence of illegal activities. The landlord had confirmed the premises were leased to the ashram and later reclaimed by his family.At the other center, interviews with inmates, locals, and the Sarpanch had revealed no complaints and the ashram was well-maintained, with four female inmates (two married) residing voluntarily.In view of these facts & Circumstances the bench noted that the petitioner's allegations were not substantiated by evidence. Observing that the petition appeared motivated, possibly influenced by rival spiritual organizations the court concluded, “.. in the face of the statement that one of the centres is already closed and the inmates of the other centre and their parents are happy with their stay for spiritual attainment and guidance, it appears no further proceedings are required to be carried out in this Public Interest Litigation especially when serious allegations have been raised by the respondent-Adhyatmik Vidyalaya against some other organization to have sponsored litigation to defame the respondent”Thus the petition was dismissed, terming it to be devoid of any merit and substance. Case Title: Dogra Sangathan Vs State of J&K Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (JKL) 133Click Here To Read/Download Judgment

"No Evidence Of Illegal Activities": J&K High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging Exploitation Of Women, Illegal Acts At Adhyatmik Vishva Vidyalaya

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