Kanoon Ki Dastak
Jammu, April 3, 2025 – The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dogra Sangthan, a Jammu-based NGO, against Adhyatmik Vishva Vidyalaya, alleging that the institution was involved in illegal and unethical activities under the guise of spiritual teachings.
The case, filed as PIL No. 33/2018, was brought forward by Dogra Sangthan through its president, Amit Kapoor. The petition alleged that the ashram, led by its absconding founder, Virender Dev Dikshit, was engaging in exploitative practices, particularly against women, and demanded a court-monitored investigation. The petitioner sought immediate closure of the centers operating at Dayalachak, Kathua, and Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, along with the release of all inmates to Nari Niketan.
A committee, initially constituted by the court, investigated the centers but found no conclusive evidence of illegal activities. Their preliminary report mentioned some suspicious circumstances but lacked concrete proof. Following this, the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, was directed to conduct a thorough inspection.
His affidavit, filed on November 17, 2023, and December 29, 2023, stated that:
The Bhagwati Nagar center had been shut down since 2022. Inmates at the Dayalachak center were residing there voluntarily, with no complaints of coercion or abuse. Parents of the inmates confirmed that their daughters were staying at the center of their own free will. No evidence of criminal activity was found during multiple inspections.
Representatives of the Vidyalaya, including its managers, countered the allegations, claiming that the PIL was a deliberate attempt to defame their institution. They argued that the petition was influenced by members of another spiritual organization, Prajapita Brahmakumaris, to tarnish their reputation.
The respondents submitted affidavits from all inmates and their parents, affirming that they were voluntarily residing in the institution for spiritual growth. They also stated that they had not faced any harassment, and their needs, including healthcare and food, were adequately met.
After reviewing the findings of the Divisional Commissioner and considering the absence of any substantial proof of wrongdoing, the court concluded that the PIL lacked merit. The judgment noted that:
The petitioner failed to provide credible evidence supporting their claims. No complaints had been filed by any inmates or their families. The Dayalachak center was operational in a lawful manner, and the Bhagwati Nagar center was no longer in use.
In light of these observations, the High Court dismissed the PIL, stating that it was devoid of merit and substance.