ISKCON NewsThe News Agency of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Supreme Court of India Dismisses Madhu Pandit Dasa's Petition

The Bangalore ISKCON temple

On September 6th, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the special leave petition (SLP) filed by Madhu Pandit Dasa challenging the Order dated 23rd May, 2011 passed by the High Court of Karnataka. It can be found at this link:

http://courtnic.nic.in/supremecourt/temp/pc%201292911p....

In his Special Leave Petition (SLP) Madhu Pandit Dasa stated that the High Court of Karnataka has wrongly concluded that “Madhu Pandit Das was tempted to “swallow” the riches of the temple and entered into a “conspiracy” with others to claim the ownership over idol and assets of the temple” etc. and all these observations and conclusion of the High court of Karnataka is unfounded, harsh and unwarranted. In this SLP Madhu Pandit Das also stated that other conclusions of the Honorable High Court of Karnataka “ Madhu Pandit lacks honesty and he did not step into the witness box to avoid telling the truth, and also Madhu Pandit Dasa has ‘cooked up’ the documents and the reports are ‘tailor-made’ to suit the convenience.” The High Court of Karnataka has gone wrong into making harsh disparaging remarks against him, his character and conduct stated Madhu Pandit Dasa in his SLP.

The Bench consisting of Justice Altmas Kabir, Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra and Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar dismissed the SLP but at the request of Mr. Mathai Paikadi, senior counsel appearing for Madhu Pandit das granted him liberty to approach the High Court of Karnataka, if he so desires.

A Brief Back Ground

The High Court of Karnataka in its order dated 23rd May, 2011 had concluded that the ISKCON Temple situated at Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore is only a branch of ISKCON society registered in Mumbai and Madhu Pandit Dasa was the branch President. The order further concluded that in 2001 Madhu Bandit Dasa illegally and fraudulently revived a defunct society having same name as ISKCON society registered in Mumbai to usurp the assets of ISKCON in Bangalore. The High Court has also concluded that Madhu Pandit Dasa and his family members have fabricated documents, manipulated accounts etc. to fraudulently claim the Temple properties.

Madhu pandit Dasa filed SLP in the Supreme Court praying that these remarks made by the High Court against him be expunged from the order of the High Court as Madhu Pandit Dasa was personally not party before the High court. It must be noted that ISKCON had stated in its affidavit that Madhu Pandit Dasa was the main person who has used the defunct society as a cover to usurp ISKCON properties. In 2008 Madhu Pandit Dasa, although listed himself as witness, never stepped into witness box fearing that, if he did so, his fraud will be exposed.