High Court Discharges ISKCON President of Contempt Charge

BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Feb 11, BANGALORE, INDIA (TIMES NEWS NETWORK) — On September 15, a division Bench had directed initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings against six persons, including president of ISKCON Bangalore, for scandalizing the judiciary

The high court on Thursday discharged Madhu Pandita Dasa, president of ISKCON Bangalore, and V.H. Ron, one of the advocates representing the society, in a suo motu criminal contempt case. A division Bench of Justice K Shridhara Rao and Justice Subhash B. Adi delivered a split verdict on the matter, necessitating decision by a third judge.

While Justice Shridhara Rao discharged all the six accused saying there was no contempt, Justice Adi discharged Madhu Pandita Dasa and Advocate V H Ron, but observed that allegations in the recuse application as well as arguments point at contempt by the other four, Jai Chitanya Das, advocates SKV Chalapati, Ramesh Babu and Maruthi Prasad. He ordered proceedings to be continued against them under Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act.

On September 15, a division Bench headed by Justice K.L. Manjunath had directed the registrar general to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the six for scandalizing the judiciary.

Right from the beginning, even before the case was heard, concerted efforts were made to avoid the Bench headed by Justice K L Manjunath by using Bench-hunting tactics and forum shopping. Despite several opportunities afforded, wiser counsel didn't prevail upon them. We are constrained to take this action, the division bench of Justice K.L. Manjunath and Justice B. Nagarathna had observed in its order.

The Bench dismissed the recuse application filed by ISKCON Bangalore.