The divisional bench of the High court of Karnataka today restrained ISKCON Mumbai from dislodging or dismissing Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa and other office bearers of ISKCON Bangalore for 6 weeks. The High Court further observed that there are various yeoman services being rendered from the institution to the society and abrupt changes in the management, employees, missionaries and other members would disrupt the same leading to far reaching consequences.
The High Court also observed that other activities, organizations or trusts which are functioning from the Hare Krishna Hill premises are not part of this suit and hence their activities should go on unhindered.
The divisional bench of the High Court was giving their decision on the stay petition filed by ISKCON Bangalore. It may be recalled that the High court had set aside the verdict given by the Trail Court of Bangalore which had given absolute ownership of Sri Radha Krishna-chandra temple on Hare Krishna Hill to ISKCON Bangalore Society registered in 1978.
The counsel for ISKCON Bangalore said that the stay petition is not about the verdict and hence should be considered on the following grounds:
1. ISKCON Bangalore has been in de-facto possession of the Hare Krishna Hill premises for the last several decades and various court orders were in its support.
2. The practicality of any transfer of management will not be possible on an immediate basis.
3. ISKCON Bangalore has already given an undertaking in the Supreme Court that it will not alienate or part with the assets, and are willing to submit to any process of reporting to the court.
After hearing the objections of ISKCON Mumbai to this stay petition, the High Court bench consisting of Justice Nagamohan Das and Justice Arali Nagaraj gave their judgment that a stay was not maintainable as the members of ISKCON Bangalore are managing a branch of ISKCON Mumbai. Hence, a restraining order was given as above in order to facilitate the smooth functioning of the various activities of ISKCON Bangalore and to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.
“ISKCON Bangalore will file an appeal in the Supreme Court shortly after obtaining and studying the order copy. We have full faith in the judiciary of our country and are confident that we will be able to present the case in our favor,” said Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore.
