Supreme Court Recognizes ISKCON-Bengaluru as Legal Owner of Radha Krishna Temple

New Delhi, May 16: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the ISKCON temple situated on Hare Krishna Hill in Bengaluru rightfully belongs to ISKCON Society Bengaluru, which is registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice A.G. Masih overturned the earlier ruling of the Karnataka High Court, which had recognized ISKCON-Mumbai as the legitimate owner of the property.

This apex court judgment brings closure to the prolonged legal battle over the ownership and administration of the temple, which has been a point of contention between ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai for years.

Reinforcing the legal independence of ISKCON-Bangalore, the court affirmed that the society has full ownership rights over the Sri Radha Krishna Temple and that ISKCON-Mumbai has no authority to interfere in its management or operations.

The dispute stemmed from internal conflicts within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after the demise of its founder, Srila Prabhupada. Established in 1981, ISKCON-Bangalore resisted the leadership transition to Western disciples, which triggered a divide with ISKCON-Mumbai.

The legal tussle spanned multiple judicial levels—starting from the trial court, progressing to the High Court, and ultimately reaching the Supreme Court. While the High Court had initially ruled in favor of ISKCON-Mumbai, the Supreme Court has now definitively reversed that decision, affirming ISKCON-Bangalore as a legally independent and valid entity.