Retired Army Man Files Habeas Corpus for Missing Daughter Linked to ISKCON

Ahmedabad : In a case that has raised serious allegations, a retired army man has approached the Gujarat High Court seeking the return of his missing daughter, who he claims has been under the influence of priests from the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple on SG Highway, Ahmedabad, for the past six months.

As per the report, the father has filed a Habeas Corpus petition, alleging that his daughter’s life is at risk and that she has been subjected to drug use, including cannabis, during her interactions with certain priests at the temple. The petition also claims that the priests have brainwashed his daughter, leading to her disappearance.

Allegations of Brainwashing and Disappearance

The petitioner revealed that his daughter had been regularly visiting the ISKCON temple for prayers. During these visits, she allegedly came into contact with a group of priests who influenced her behavior. On June 27, 2024, the young woman reportedly ran away from home, taking with her 230 grams of gold and ₹3.62 lakh in cash. The father alleges that she left with one of the priests from the temple.

Despite repeated efforts to seek help from the Meghaninagar Police, Sola Police Station, and even the police commissioner, the petitioner claims that no significant action has been taken to locate his daughter. He accuses the authorities of negligence, which has left him without answers for months.

High Court’s Intervention

The Gujarat High Court bench, comprising Justice Sangeeta Vishen and Justice Sanjeev Thaker, has taken cognizance of the matter and directed multiple parties, including the state government, city police commissioner, Meghaninagar Police Station, and the ISKCON authorities, to respond to the allegations.

The court has also named specific ISKCON individuals in the petition, including Nilesh Deshwani, Sundar Mama Prabhu, Murli Prabhu, Nardmuni (also known as Nirmoi Murli Manohar Prabhu), Ankita Sindhi, Harishankardaras Maharaj, Akshaytithi Kumari, and Mohit Prabhujji Maharaj, asking for their statements.

The High Court has ordered the authorities to locate the missing woman and present her before the court. The next hearing is scheduled for January 9, where the parties involved will be expected to provide updates on the case.

Serious Allegations Against ISKCON Priests

This case has brought ISKCON under scrutiny, with the petitioner alleging that the temple priests have exploited his daughter’s faith and manipulated her. The accusations also include claims of drugging and brainwashing, raising significant concerns about the conduct of the temple’s personnel.

ISKCON, a globally recognized religious organization, has previously faced isolated controversies, but allegations of this nature could damage its reputation further. The temple authorities are yet to issue a formal statement regarding the case.

A Waiting Father’s Plea

For the retired army man, the fight is not just about finding his daughter but also ensuring her safety and well-being. As the case unfolds, all eyes are on the High Court’s proceedings and the response from ISKCON and the police.