The Supreme Court of India has delivered a split verdict on the ISKCON Mumbai review plea challenging the May 2025 judgment that upheld ISKCON Bangalore’s ownership of the Hare Krishna Hills temple property.

Detailed Report

The Supreme Court witnessed a divergence of opinion in the review petition filed by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Mumbai against the earlier decision that had recognized ISKCON Bangalore as the rightful owner and administrator of the temple complex at Hare Krishna Hills, Bengaluru.

As a result of the split verdict, the matter will now be placed before the Chief Justice of India for appropriate directions and constitution of a larger bench.

Earlier, in May 2025, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka (since retired) and Justice A G Masih had set aside the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that had previously favoured ISKCON Mumbai, thereby restoring the ownership rights of the Bengaluru temple to ISKCON Bangalore.

Following that, ISKCON Mumbai sought a review. After Justice Oka’s retirement, the review petition came before a bench led by Justice J K Maheshwari with Justice A G Masih as the companion judge.

Interestingly, while Justice Maheshwari was of the view that the review petitions merited an open court hearing and accordingly issued notice to the respondents, Justice Masih dismissed the review petitions outright, holding that there was no error apparent on the record of the May 2025 judgment warranting review.

Background

The dispute between the two ISKCON factions traces back to the ownership and control of the Bengaluru temple complex.

• ISKCON Bangalore, registered in 1978 under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, acquired about six acres from the Bangalore Development Authority in 1988 and developed the temple using contributions from devotees.
• ISKCON Mumbai, founded in 1966 by Srila Prabhupada, was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.

The Trial Court in 2009 decreed in favour of ISKCON Bangalore, declaring it as the absolute owner and administrator of the temple and restraining ISKCON Mumbai from interfering.

However, the Karnataka High Court in 2011 reversed that decree, holding that ISKCON Bangalore was merely a branch of ISKCON Mumbai, and ruled the Mumbai society as the rightful owner.

The Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling overturned the High Court decision, restoring rights to ISKCON Bangalore, prompting the current review petition and resulting split verdict.

Next Step

Given the difference of opinion between Justice Maheshwari and Justice Masih, the matter will now be referred to the Chief Justice of India for constituting a larger bench to resolve the legal deadlock between ISKCON Mumbai and ISKCON Bangalore.

Case Details

• Case Title: International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Mumbai vs. International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Bangalore & Ors.
• Diary No.: 37957 of 2025
• Bench: Justice J K Maheshwari and Justice A G Masih

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