Supreme Court Affirms ISKCON Bangalore’s Ownership of Bengaluru Hare Krishna Temple

On May 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of India resolved a protracted legal dispute over the ownership of the iconic Hare Krishna temple located on Hare Krishna Hill in Bengaluru.  The apex court ruled in favor of the ISKCON Society Bangalore, thereby overturning a previous Karnataka High Court decision that had favored ISKCON Mumbai. 

The bench, comprising Justices AS Oka and Augustine George Masih, reinstated the 2009 trial court judgment which had recognized ISKCON Bangalore’s legal title over the temple and issued a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai.  This verdict brings closure to a decade-long legal battle between the two factions of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), both of which share similar spiritual missions but have operated independently. 

ISKCON Bangalore, a Karnataka-registered society, has been managing the temple and its associated educational complex for several decades.  The Supreme Court’s decision not only affirms their ownership but also provides legal clarity, ensuring that the temple’s operations remain under the jurisdiction of ISKCON Bangalore.