Summary of the mediation efforts between ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai to find an amicable settlement to the dispute outside the court, and its outcome.
In connection with the dispute between ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai, one of the interim orders of the Supreme Court of India, dated June 6, 2011 stated: “However, we express a pious hope that the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties shall find some time and examine the possibility of amicably resolving the issues involved in the present matter. We would also expect that the different sections of this august institution would avoid unnecessary litigation and the office bearers of both the societies shall fully cooperate in this behalf.” On March 28, 2012, both ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai requested the retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice Sri RV Raveendran, who is also the Chairman of the Oversight Committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India, if he can attempt an out-of-court settlement for the dispute through mediation.
The combined request of ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai to Justice Sri RV Raveendran was kindly accepted by him.
The first mediation meeting was held on April 3, 2012 in the premises of the Bangalore Mediation Centre under the chairmanship of Justice Raveendran. He also invited Smt Laila Ollampalli, a professional mediator’ to assist him and facilitate the mediation process.
The first mediation meeting was attended by HG Doyaram Dasa, HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami and HG Revathi Raman Dasa representing the Bureau (the Governing Body) of ISKCON- Mumbai. HG Madhu Pandit Dasa, HG Chanchalapathi Dasa and HG Jai Chaitanya Dasa representing the Governing Body of ISKCON-Bangalore attended the meeting. Several proposals and counter proposals were made from both sides over the next several months.
Several meetings were conducted between both the parties. Hundreds of pages of documentation were painstakingly prepared, amended and rewritten over the next twelve months. The broad contours of the discussion, are summarized herein.
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