₹15,000 Crore Alleged Iskcon Fraud: Fir Against Madhu Pandit Dasa And 12 Others; Judge Recuses From Hearing Quashing Petition
National : In a significant development in the alleged ₹15,000 crore fraud case involving usurpation of the Bangalore Temple of ISKCON, the Judge hearing Madhu Pandit Dasa’s petition seeking quashing of the criminal case recused from the matter today, according to information received from the proceedings.
The development follows the registration of FIR No. 56/2026 dated 16 April 2026 by Shakespeare Sarani Police Station, Kolkata, against Madhu Pandit Dasa and 12 others, pursuant to an order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Calcutta, dated 9 April 2026.
The FIR contains serious allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, fabrication of financial records, criminal breach of trust and dishonest diversion of religious and charitable institutional assets by Madhu Pandit Das and his family members estimated by the complainant at approximately ₹15,000 crore.
Alleged Fraudulent Takeover Through a Defunct Society
According to the FIR, the accused Madhu Pandit Das and others allegedly used a dormant Bangalore society to usurp the Bangalore temple of ISKCON and its valuable assets, which the complainant maintains belonged to the ISKCON. According to the complaint there is only one ISKCON society in India – one registered, in 1971, by Srila Prbhupada, the Founder in Mumbai.
The complaint alleges that historical documents were fabricated, accounts were manipulated and back dated to create a false impression that the defunct Bangalore society had been functioning continuously.
These allegedly fabricated documents included approximately 12 years of backdated financial statements, audit reports, governing-body minutes, lists of office-bearers and resolutions.
The complaint alleges that these records were used before statutory authorities and courts to support the false and fraudulent claim of ownership and control by Madhu Pandit Das.
Forensic Examination Raises Serious Questions
ISKCON society has also commissioned a recent forensic examination of disputed historical documents.
ISKCON says that the forensic findings raise serious questions about the authenticity of signatures, typing and preparation of documents allegedly used to claim false and fraudulent ownership over the Bangalore Temple of ISKOCN and also on defunct Bangalore Society.
The complainant maintains that these findings warrant a detailed criminal investigation into the original records, their dates of creation and the persons responsible for preparing and using them.
₹15,000 Crore in Institutional Assets Under Scrutiny
The FIR records the complainant’s allegation that properties, donations, funds and institutional assets valued at approximately ₹15,000 crore were dishonestly misappropriated or diverted by Madhu Pandit Das, his family members and associates.
The complainant seeks investigation into the movement of funds, ownership records, bank accounts and transactions involving entities allegedly controlled by the accused Madhu Pandit Das and his family.
Questions Over Family Control and Akshaya Patra
ISKCON has previously raised concerns about the concentration of control over the Bangalore Temple and the defunct Banglore society by Madhu Pandit Dasa, his family members and close associates.
In proceedings before the Supreme Court, ISKCON submitted that four of the seven members of the Bangalore society’s governing body were Madhu Pandit Dasa, his wife, his wife’s sister and wife sister’s husband.
ISKCON also maintains that the dispute raises questions concerning the governance of associated charitable institutions, including the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which ISKCON claims was also usurped by Madhu pandit Das and his brother in law Chanchalapati Das along with ISKCON Temple at Bangalore from the ISKCON society registered by Srila Pabhuapda in 1971 and seeks scrutiny of the legal basis of their control.
Madhu Pandit Dasa Seeks Quashing of FIR
Following registration of the FIR, Madhu Pandit Dasa approached the court seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings.
At today’s hearing, the judge recused from the matter. The petition’s further listing and the legal effect of any orders will depend on subsequent judicial proceedings.
ISKCON maintains that the allegations of fabricated documents, disputed financial records and diversion of institutional assets are true and therefore a full and independent investigation is urgently required.
The registration of an FIR is not a finding of criminal guilt. All allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
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