Retired Army Man Files Habeas Corpus in High Court, Alleging Brainwashing and Illegal Detention of Daughter at ISKCON Temple

A retired army personnel residing in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, has filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court through Advocate Dharmesh Gurjar. The petition states that the individual has two sons and an adult daughter. 

The daughter, who has a deep interest in devotion, used to visit the ISKCON temple located on S.G. Highway in Ahmedabad. There, Sundermama Prabhu was her guru, imparting lessons about Krishna Leela. Trusting the ISKCON temple, the parents allowed their daughter to go there.

Allegations Against ISKCON Swamis and Brainwashing of Young Devotees

The swamis at the ISKCON temple claim to be Krishna themselves, while allegedly brainwashing young daughters in the name of devotion. They assert that they are Krishna and tell the girls residing at ISKCON, about 600 in total, that they are gopis of Krishna. The swamis emphasize the importance of the guru over that of the parents. 

Sundermama claimed that the petitioner’s daughter is beautiful and intelligent, and therefore should be kept at the ISKCON temple. He suggested marrying her off to one of his disciples, but the petitioner, being of the Rajput priest caste, refused to allow her marriage to someone from a different caste.

Daughter Allegedly Abducted with Gold and Cash to Mathura

Following this, the petitioner began receiving threats. His daughter was allegedly provoked and abducted with 23 tolas of gold and ₹3.62 lakh in cash, and taken to a disciple in Mathura. The petitioner claims that she is currently residing in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. 

An ISKCON devotee from Rajasthan informed the petitioner that they had even tried to drop his daughter off at the airport. The petitioner believes this to be an insult to both religion and God.

High Court Issues Notice to Parties in Habeas Corpus Case

The daughter had run away at the end of June. In July, an application was submitted to the Police Commissioner, the Law Minister, and the Home Minister. 

The previous lawyer had filed an application requesting directions for a complaint instead of a habeas corpus petition, as the daughter had been illegally detained. The High Court, in this regard, has issued notices to the parties involved and scheduled further hearings for January.