The Honorable High Court of Karnataka today issued
notice on criminal contempt of court against ISKCON Mumbai, Doyarama
Dasa, Bhīma Dasa ( Secretary ISKCON Mumbai), Varada Krishna Dasa and
Balaji Subhash. The divisional bench consisting of Honorable Justice N
Kumar and Hon. Justice Manohar issued the notice while hearing contempt
of court proceedings initiated against ISKCON Mumbai and others by
Secretary of ISKCON Bangalore.
It may be recalled that on April 17th 2009 City
civil court had given a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai
stating that it should not interfere in ISKCON Bangalore’s affairs.
ISKCON Mumbai had gone on appeal to the Honorable High court against
this verdict of the Trial court. The appeal was being heard by a
divisional bench headed by Hon. Justice K L Manjunath. On 10th July 2009
a mystery packet was received by Hon. Justice KL Manjunath and Hon.
Justice C R Kumaraswamy. The mystery packet contained photographs of
Hon. Justice KL Manjunath receiving a photo frame while visiting ISKCON
temple in Rajajinagar, Bangalore. The packet also contained a letter
requesting Hon. Justice KL Manjunath to not hear the appeal as the
photographs indicate that he is associated with ISKCON Bangalore.
Subsequently Hon. Justice KL Manjunath recused from the appeal and it
was heard before another bench. While so recusing suo moto contempt of
court was initiated against President, Secretary of ISKCON Bangalore and
four lawyers. Later on the Honorable High Court acquitted the President
and two lawyers from the contempt proceedings.
One, Mr. Balaji Subash in April 2011 had tried to
extort money from ISKCON Bangalore and a complaint was filed against him
by ISKCON Bangalore. He was later arrested by the police and jailed for
45 days. Subsequently Central Investigation Department (CID) Karnataka
has taken up the investigation of this case and has filed a charge
sheet against Balaji Subash under sections 384, 417, 465, 468,471 r/w 34
section of the IPC and section 66(A)of IT Act 2000(Click on the below image to enlarge)
Investigations further revealed that Varada Krishna Das of ISKCON Mumbai abetted to the crime committed by Balaji Subash by instigating him into criminal acts. The CID has also filed charge sheet against Varada Krishna Dasa under sections 384, 417,465,468,471, 120(B) of IPC and section 66(a) of IT Act 2000
vide crime no 78 of 2011. During the course of investigation it was revealed that Varada Krishna dasa was actively in touch with Balaji Subhash and that he had offered him huge amounts of money if he succeeded in maligning ISKCON Bangalore. Both Balaji Subhash and Varada Krishna Dasa are now on bail and have been given specific instructions by courts to co-operate with the investigations. The matter is pending before 1st ACMM court Bangalore.
On 11th April 2011 Balaji Subhash had written an
email admitting that he stole the pictures of Hon. Justice Manjunath
visiting and receiving photo frame from ISKCON Bangalore temple. He also
admitted that he stole the pictures under instructions from ISKCON
Mumbai. He also admits that he handed over the pictures to ISKCON
Mumbai. The email further reveals that the entire conspiracy was
arranged by combined plan of Doyaram Dasa, Bhima Dasa(Secretary ) and
Varada Krishna of ISKCON Mumbai. ISKCON Mumbai through various
unscrupulous means has been making all efforts to malign ISKCON
Bangalore. Evidence now strongly points out that the mystery packet
containing photographs of the Judge were indeed handy work of ISKCON
Mumbai and its leaders in association with Balaji Subhash.
Citing these emails and charge sheet filed by CID
secretary of ISKCON Bangalore had filed a petition to initiate criminal
contempt of court against ISKCON Mumbai, Balaji Subhash and others.
Advocate General of Karnataka in his order has also given permission to
initiate contempt proceedings against Balaji Subhash, Dayarama Dasa and
Varada Krishna Dasa.On wednesday 12th November 2014, the matter came up for hearing before the Honorable High Court and it has issued notice to ISKCON Mumbai, Dayarama Dasa, Varada Krishna Dasa, Bhīma Dasa and Balaji Subhash.