The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a petition of ISKCON India (Mumbai) seeking review of its May 16 verdict, which held that the iconic Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru belongs to ISKCON Society of the city. The apex court had set aside the Karnataka High Court order giving control of the Bengaluru temple to the ISKCON Mumbai.
The bench of justices MM Sundresh, Prashant Kumar Mishra and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to ISKCON Bengaluru seeking their response in the dispute, while admitting the review petition filed by ISKCON India.
The case pertains to the 25-year-old legal dispute between Mumbai and Bengaluru factions of ISKCON over control of the Bengaluru temple.
On May 16, the apex court said the trial court also recorded a finding that no evidence was produced by ISKCON Mumbai about its possession of the Schedule "A" property and there was absolutely no evidence to support its claim.
On October 28, the over 25-year-old legal dispute between Mumbai and Bengaluru factions of ISKCON over control of the Bengaluru temple was revived after a two-judge bench gave a split decision on the review plea of ISKCON India seeking review of the May 16 verdict, according to the PTI.
While Justice JK Maheshwari found substance in the plea of ISKCON India and agreed to hear the matter in open court and sought a response from the Bengaluru faction, Justice AG Masih dismissed the review petitions filed in the matter, saying there is no error apparent on the face of the record or any merit in the Review Petitions, warranting reconsideration of the May 16 judgment. It was then decided to take the matter before the Chief Justice of India, and a three-judge bench was formed to consider the multiple review petitions filed in the case.
Yudhistir Govinda Das, Director of Communications for ISKCON India, stated in a statement that the Supreme Court of India's decision to reopen this matter is a significant milestone in bringing out the truth of this case and for the protection of Srila Prabhupada's global mission. "It is unfortunate what has happened that few individuals have tried to usurp the assets of the institution, including the Bangalore temple and our flagship project of Akshaya Patra for feeding the young children of India. We are hopeful that, with the complete facts now before the court, it will bring justice to the lakhs of ISKCON devotees and members across the country."
However, a statement issued by the ISKCON Bengaluru to THE WEEK said: “We would like to clarify that the Supreme Court has only issued a notice to ISKCON Bangalore. The decision to review its May 16 verdict will be made by the Supreme Court in the next hearing in February 2026. To say that the Supreme Court has decided to review, or that it has admitted the review petition, will be incorrect reporting,” it said.
The statement also added that the claim made by ISKCON Mumbai that the renowned Akshaya Patra programme is their flagship project was false. “The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an independent charitable trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882 (Reg. No. 154). ISKCON Bangalore is the SETTLOR of this Foundation as per the Trust Deed executed on Oct 16, 2001,” the statement said.
“ISKCON Mumbai (or ISKCON India) has no connection whatsoever with The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Also, the legal dispute between ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai, which began in the year 2000, predates the establishment of Akshaya Patra. Hence, any claims of ownership made by their officials or spokespersons are contrary to these facts and misleading,” the statement added.