India, May 4 -- A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Dr AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian, on April 18, 2026, reaffirmed the individual autonomy in matters of belief and lifestyle guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

A Writ of Habeas Corpus (Petition) was filed by three parents alleging that their adult daughters were being unlawfully detained by members of a religious congregation known as the Monastery of Holy Ruah (MHR). The parents' contention was that the daughters had initially joined the congregation when it was recognised by the Archdiocese of Trissur. Subsequently, it was derecognised and dissolved by a formal decree, which rendered their continued association susp...