Supreme Court Rules ISKCON Bangalore as Owner of Hare Krishna Temple
The Supreme Court has ruled that ISKCON Bangalore is the rightful owner of the iconic Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru, ending a 24-year-old legal battle with ISKCON Mumbai.
Supreme CourtIskcon BangaloreHare Krishna TempleLegal DisputeIskcon MumbaiReal Estate MumbaiMay 17, 2025
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih allowed ISKCON Bangalore’s appeal, setting aside a 2011 judgment by the Karnataka High Court that had ruled in favor of ISKCON Mumbai. The court affirmed that ISKCON Bangalore is an independent legal entity and that the society cannot be treated as a branch of ISKCON Mumbai.
ISKCON Mumbai was founded in 1966 by Srila Prabhupada and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. It claimed that ISKCON Bangalore, registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act in July 1978, was its branch and that the temple property belonged to the Mumbai society.
In 2001, ISKCON Bangalore filed a suit seeking declarations that it was the absolute owner of the property in question, that ISKCON Mumbai had no authority over its affairs, and that Mumbai-based office bearers be permanently restrained from interfering. In 2009, the trial court ruled in favor of ISKCON Bangalore, recognizing its ownership and granting it a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai. The court also dismissed ISKCON Mumbai’s claim that Bangalore was merely a branch office and that the Mumbai society had rights over both properties.
However, in 2011, the Karnataka High Court reversed the trial court’s decision, holding that ISKCON Bangalore was a branch of ISKCON Mumbai and that the temple property belonged to the latter. The Supreme Court’s verdict restores the decree passed by the trial court and affirms ISKCON Bangalore’s independent status.
ISKCON Bangalore hailed the court’s judgment. “In essence, ISKCON Mumbai has been injuncted from interfering with the management of ISKCON Bengaluru. They can no longer expel from ISKCON, thousands of devotees who want to accept only Srila Prabhupada as the sole Acharya of ISKCON,” Madhu Pandit Dasa, president of ISKCON Bangalore, said in a statement.
The Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru is a significant spiritual and cultural landmark, attracting thousands of visitors and devotees each year. The resolution of this legal dispute is expected to bring stability and clarity to the management of the temple and its activities.
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 iconic Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru and its associated property.
When did ISKCON Bangalore file the suit for ownership of the temple?
ISKCON Bangalore filed the suit in 2001, seeking declarations that it was the absolute owner of the property and that ISKCON Mumbai had no authority over its affairs.
What was the Karnataka High Court's decision in 2011?
The Karnataka High Court ruled in 2011 that ISKCON Bangalore was a branch of ISKCON Mumbai and that the temple property belonged to the latter.
Who are the judges who allowed ISKCON Bangalore's appeal in the Supreme Court?
The appeal was allowed by a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih.
What is the significance of the Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru?
The Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru is a significant spiritual and cultural landmark, attracting thousands of visitors and devotees each year.
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