In a significant verdict delivered on Friday, May 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of India has settled a long-standing dispute between the Bengaluru and Mumbai chapters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), ruling in favor of ISKCON-Bengaluru regarding the ownership and control of the Hare Krishna temple in the city. The apex court overturned a previous judgment by the Karnataka High Court, which had favored ISKCON-Mumbai.
The dispute, which has spanned over two decades, centered on the control of the iconic Hare Krishna temple located on Hare Krishna Hill in Bengaluru. ISKCON-Bangalore, registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, has maintained that it is an autonomous entity that has independently managed the temple for decades. Conversely, ISKCON-Mumbai, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 and the Bombay Public Trusts Act of 1950, argued that ISKCON-Bangalore was merely a branch under its jurisdiction and that the property rightfully belonged to the Mumbai-based society.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih delivered the verdict, allowing the plea of ISKCON-Bangalore, which challenged the Karnataka High Court order of May 23, 2011, that had granted control of the temple and its educational complex to ISKCON-Mumbai. The Supreme Court's decision effectively restores the 2009 trial court order, which had recognized ISKCON-Bangalore's legal title and granted a permanent injunction against ISKCON-Mumbai.
The Supreme Court emphasized that ISKCON-Bangalore could not be considered a branch of ISKCON-Mumbai. The court noted that documents related to the land allotment indicated that the application was made on behalf of ISKCON-Bangalore, and the allotment was also made to the said society. The bench further stated that even if ISKCON-Bangalore lacked funds initially and received financial support from ISKCON-Mumbai, it would not automatically grant ownership to the latter. Justice Oka, in a 56-page judgment, stated that the High Court's finding that ISKCON-Mumbai, through its Bengaluru branch, owned the property was "completely erroneous" and "contrary to the documentary evidence".
The legal battle between the two organizations began when ISKCON-Bangalore challenged the High Court's decision, which had overturned a local Bengaluru court's ruling that favored ISKCON-Bangalore. The High Court had considered the plea that since ISKCON Bangalore's administration was from Mumbai, the latter could not control the administration from Mumbai and be allowed to take over. The High Court had also pointed to alleged “falsification” of accounts by Bengaluru unit's President Madhu Pandit Das.
The Supreme Court's ruling brings an end to the prolonged legal tussle and confirms ISKCON-Bangalore's exclusive rights to the temple's ownership, administration, and associated activities. The verdict is expected to bring clarity and relief to the Bengaluru-based organization. The court also dissolved a committee headed by former SC judge Justice R. V. Raveendran, which was appointed on December 14, 2011, to oversee the management of the temple and its properties by ISKCON-Bengaluru.
Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru, stated that this internal battle was against those claiming to be successors to Srila Prabhupada without proper authorization, and that Srila Prabhupada had established a system where all devotees would be his direct disciples. The Supreme Court's decision underscores the autonomy of ISKCON-Bangalore and its independent functioning under Karnataka law.
