Who Gets Control Of Bengaluru's Hare Krishna Temple? SC Passes Order In Battle Of 2 ISKCON Units

Justices Oka and Masih delivered the verdict, resolving a long-standing dispute between ISKCON Bengaluru and ISKCON Mumbai over the temple and educational complex.

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favour of ISKCON Bengaluru granting the society control of the city's Hare Krishna Temple. 

The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices AS Oka and Augustine George Masih putting an end to the long-standing dispute. 

The apex court allowed the plea of ISKCON Bangalore challenging a Karnataka High Court order that ruled in favour of ISKCON Mumbai over control of the iconic Hare Krishna temple and educational complex in Bengaluru. 

ISKCON's Bengaluru unit had moved the top court on June 2, 2011, against the High Court verdict dated May 23, 2011. 

Kodandarama Dasa, an office-bearer at ISKCON Bangalore who appeared for the unit contested in the plea the high court judgment that overturned a 2009 order of a local court in Bengaluru.

Earlier the trial court had ruled in favour of ISKCON Bangalore, recognising its legal title and granting a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai. 

However, the high court reserved the ruling and upheld a counterclaim by ISKCON Mumbai, effectively granting them control over the temple.

ISKCON Bangalore, a society registered in Karnataka, argued that it has been operating independently and managing the Bengaluru temple for decades.

Whereas, ISKCON Mumbai claimed that the Bengaluru unit is merely its branch and that the property in question rightfully belongs under its jurisdiction. ISKCON Mumbai is registered under the national Societies Registration Act of 1860 and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950.