ISKCON case: Missive to judge angers High Court

The Karnataka High Court on Friday took serious exception to a missive, purportedly from the Mumbai-based head of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), making insinuations against a division bench judge hearing a case involving the outfit.

The division bench, comprising Justice KL Manjunath and Justice Kumaraswamy, was hearing the case on Friday.

As the matter came for hearing, Justice Manjunath disclosed that the letter received by the bench had attached to it a photograph of the felicitation extended by ISKCON to him. The judge said the letter had purportedly come from Mumbai ISKCON head, Jayapathaka Swami, and his followers.

The court expressed its anguish over the incident, stating that the missive was a blackmailing tactic as well as a deliberate attempt to weaken the institution of judiciary. Pointing out that the letter was not in good taste, the bench said that it could take action and made it clear that such an incident should not be repeated.

The bench said copies of the letter had been sent to the Chief Justice of India, Chief the Justice of the Karnataka High Court and media. The letter alleged Justice Manjunath was felicitated at Bangalore ISKCON some years back and wondered how he could now hear the petition and deliver justice.

When the bench asked the two respondents — Bangalore ISKCON or Mumbai ISKCON — who was behind the letter, senior counsel Uday Holla, appearing for Mumbai ISKCON, said he was ignorant of it and it could have been done by Bangalore ISKCON to malign the Mumbai institution. But, Bangalore ISKCON’s counsel stated that they had nothing to do with it. The court asked both respondents to file detailed affidavits on the issue.