The Supreme Court has agreed to consider constituting a fresh bench to adjudicate a pending review petition concerning the ownership of the Hare Krishna temple and educational complex in Bengaluru.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana gave the assurance after counsel representing ISKCON Mumbai requested the early setup of a bench to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Responding to the request, the Chief Justice stated that the apex court would examine the matter.
Split Verdict Led To Impasse
The review petition arises from a November 2025 split verdict delivered by a two-judge bench of Justice J. K. Maheshwari, who has since retired, and Justice A. G. Masih. Justice Maheshwari had concluded that ISKCON Mumbai made out a valid case for review, favoring open-court hearings and the issuance of notices to the parties involved. Conversely, Justice Masih held that the record contained no apparent error warranting reconsideration and voted to dismiss the petitions.
Due to the conflicting rulings, the bench directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice for further instructions. Counsel for the Mumbai organization informed the court on Monday that although the review plea was subsequently listed before benches led by Justice M. M. Sundresh and Justice Dipankar Datta, it has not been brought up for hearing since.
Origins Of The Property Conflict
The litigation centers on competing claims over the management and legal title of the landmark Bengaluru temple complex. ISKCON Bengaluru, registered as a local society in Karnataka, maintains that it has functioned independently for decades. ISKCON Mumbai, registered under national society and state trust laws, contends that the Bengaluru entity operates merely as a branch.
In May 2025, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih ruled in favor of ISKCON Bengaluru, setting aside a Karnataka High Court order. That judgment noted that the trial court found no evidence presented by ISKCON Mumbai to prove its possession of the central property.
Decades Of Judicial Proceedings
The conflict has moved through multiple courts over the past two decades. A local trial court in Bengaluru initially ruled in 2009 that ISKCON Bengaluru held legal title to the property, granting a permanent injunction against the Mumbai body.
However, the Karnataka High Court overturned that decision in May 2011, ruling in favor of ISKCON Mumbai’s counterclaim. In June 2011, ISKCON Bengaluru, through office-bearer Kodandarama Dasa, challenged the High Court ruling before the Supreme Court, leading to the May 2025 apex court verdict that is currently subject to the review request.
