ISKCON Mumbai, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, had contended that ISKCON Bangalore functioned as a subordinate branch and that the Bengaluru temple fell under its jurisdiction.However, ISKCON Bangalore maintained that it had always functioned as an autonomous entity, managing the temple independently under Karnataka’s laws.With Friday’s ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively ended the prolonged legal tussle and confirmed ISKCON Bangalore’s exclusive rights to the temple’s ownership, administration, and associated activities.The verdict brings clarity and relief to the Bengaluru-based organisation and is likely to influence future governance of religious institutions with overlapping claims.In a statement, Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru, said: “This internal ISKCON battle was against self-proclaimed gurus who claimed to be successors to Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON, without being authorised by Srila Prabhupada before his Maha Samadhi.”“Rather, he set up a Ritvik system whereby all devotees in ISKCON at all times will be direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada,” he added.
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