Supreme Court Rules Hare Krishna Temple in Bengaluru Belongs to ISKCON Bangalore
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Hare Krishna Temple in Bengaluru belongs to ISKCON Bangalore, setting aside a previous Karnataka High Court order that favored ISKCON Mumbai.
IskconHare Krishna TempleSupreme CourtBengaluruLegal DisputeReal Estate MumbaiMay 16, 2025
The top court allowed the plea of ISKCON Bangalore, challenging a Karnataka High Court order that had ruled in favor of ISKCON Mumbai. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih set aside the high court's order, which had held that the property belonged to ISKCON Society, Mumbai.
The bench noted that the trial court had found no evidence produced by ISKCON Mumbai to support its claim of possession of the Schedule 'A' property. The court emphasized, 'As the application for allotment was made by ISKCON Bangalore and as pursuant to the application, the sale deed was executed in favor of ISKCON Bangalore, the entire discussion by the high court about so-called manipulations made by Madhu Pandit, Bhakti Lata Devi Dasi, Chanchalapati Dasa, Chamari Devi Dasi was not relevant at all.'
The verdict further stated that even if it was assumed that the rubber stamp of ISKCON Bangalore was affixed on certain documents subsequently, it was 'crystal clear' that the Schedule 'A' property was allotted by the Bangalore Development Authority to ISKCON Bangalore, and ISKCON Bangalore was an independent society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act.
The apex court concluded that the high court's finding that ISKCON Mumbai, through its branch in Bangalore, was the owner of the scheduled property was 'completely erroneous' and deserved to be set aside. The court stated, 'It is completely contrary to the documentary evidence. Even assuming that ISKCON Bangalore did not possess funds, and even if money came from ISKCON Mumbai, it cannot claim ownership. Only because the existence of the Bangalore branch of ISKCON Mumbai was proved, one cannot jump to the conclusion that allotment of Schedule ‘A’ property was to ISKCON Mumbai through the Bangalore branch.'
Reacting to the Supreme Court's judgment, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore and Founder and Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said the internal ISKCON battle was against self-proclaimed gurus who claimed to be successors to Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON, without being authorized by Srila Prabhupada before his Maha Samadhi.
'Today the 25-year-old court battle has been concluded by the Supreme Court by its verdict that BDA had allotted temple land of ISKCON Bangalore society in 1988 – an independent ISKCON society registered in Bangalore – and the property and funds to build the temple were raised in Bangalore. ISKCON Mumbai has been injuncted from interfering with the management of ISKCON Bangalore. They can no longer expel from ISKCON thousands of devotees who want to accept only Srila Prabhupada as the sole Acharya of ISKCON,' a release stated.
ISKCON Bangalore moved the top court on June 2, 2011, against the May 23, 2011, high court verdict. Represented by its office-bearer Kodandarama Dasa, ISKCON Bangalore contested the high court judgment that overturned a 2009 order of a local court in Bengaluru. The trial court had ruled in favor of ISKCON Bangalore, recognizing its legal title and granting a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai.
However, the high court reversed this ruling and upheld a counterclaim by ISKCON Mumbai, effectively granting them control over the temple. The societies with similar names and spiritual missions were pitted against each other in the legal battle. While ISKCON Bangalore, a Karnataka-registered society, contended it had been operating independently and managing the Bengaluru temple for decades, ISKCON Mumbai, registered under the national Societies Registration Act of 1860 and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, claimed rights over the property and said ISKCON Bangalore was merely its branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main issue in the legal dispute between ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai?
The main issue was the ownership and control of the Hare Krishna Temple and educational complex in Bengaluru. ISKCON Bangalore claimed it was an independent society, while ISKCON Mumbai argued that ISKCON Bangalore was its branch and that the property belonged to them.
What did the Supreme Court rule in the case?
The Supreme Court ruled that the Hare Krishna Temple in Bengaluru belongs to ISKCON Bangalore, setting aside the previous Karnataka High Court order that favored ISKCON Mumbai.
Why did the Supreme Court reject ISKCON Mumbai's claim?
The Supreme Court rejected ISKCON Mumbai's claim because there was no evidence to support their possession of the property. The court found that the sale deed and application for allotment were in favor of ISKCON Bangalore, an independent society registered in Karnataka.
What was the reaction of ISKCON Bangalore to the Supreme Court's decision?
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore, welcomed the decision, stating that the 25-year-old court battle has been concluded. He emphasized that the temple land was allotted by the Bangalore Development Authority to ISKCON Bangalore and that ISKCON Mumbai cannot interfere with its management.
What does this ruling mean for the devotees of ISKCON in Bengaluru?
The ruling means that ISKCON Mumbai is enjoined from interfering with the management of ISKCON Bangalore. Devotees who want to accept Srila Prabhupada as the sole Acharya of ISKCON can continue their practices without fear of expulsion.
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