Bengaluru: The Supreme Court recently expressed strong displeasure regarding the ongoing legal battle between the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Mumbai and ISKCON Bengaluru over the ownership of the historical Hare Krishna Temple in Bengaluru.The bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh, Satish Chandra Sharma, and P.K. Mishra, sharply rebuked the religious organizations, asking, "What might Shri Krishna be thinking about all this?"
Background and Origin of the Dispute
This legal conflict concerns the ownership of the Hare Krishna Temple and its educational complex located in Bengaluru.
May 2025 Verdict:
* In May, the Supreme Court delivered a significant judgment, stating that ISKCON Bengaluru has an independent legal existence under the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Registration Act.
* It confirmed that ISKCON Bengaluru is not a branch of ISKCON Mumbai and held that the ownership of the Bengaluru Temple belongs to the former.
* Through this verdict, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment passed by the Karnataka High Court in 2011 in favour of ISKCON Mumbai.
Review Petition Filed:
ISKCON Mumbai approached the apex court seeking a review of the Supreme Court's verdict of May 16. When this review petition came up for hearing on November 8, the bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih delivered divergent opinions:
* Justice Masih: Dismissed the review petition.
* Justice Maheshwari: Allowed the review petition.
Following the split verdict, the matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Subsequently, the CJI constituted a three-judge bench to hear the matter.
December 3 Hearing: Arguments and the Court's Poignant Remark
The case was heard again by the three-judge bench on December 3 . Lawyer for ISKCON Mumbai (Kapil Sibal), Argued that ISKCON Mumbai is the Mother Organisation, and ISKCON Bengaluru is merely its Affiliate. Therefore, the latter cannot claim ownership of the disputed temple.
Lawyer for ISKCON Bengaluru Stated that mediation efforts have taken place. The Bengaluru Society has launched the 'Akshaya Patra' programme and has provided two billion meals (emphasizing their contribution to society). At this point, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for ISKCON Mumbai, intervened and directly complained that ISKCON Bengaluru had taken what belonged to them.
The Bench's Poignant Remark:
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the bench issued notice to the respondents seeking a response. However, at the end of the hearing, the bench made a poignant observation: "Clearly, both sides must feel that none of it belongs to them (but belongs to Shri Krishna)."