ISKCON Gurukul Scandal

Imagine attending a gurukul where God and dharma are the main things they teach. But what if I tell you that the very gurukul hides a deeper truth of long abuse history and multiple allegations. That is exactly what has been reported at the ISKCON run gurukul in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Allegations of sexual abuse, physical punishment, and institutional negligence have surfaced, leading to a police investigation and growing public concern over child safety in religious educational spaces. According to police, a 16 year old boy is accused of sexually abusing a nine year old girl over a period of nearly two years while both were residing at the gurukul. The abuse is alleged to have started a few months after the girl was admitted in 2020. Following a complaint filed by the victim’s parents, gurukul operator Suraj Krishna Shrestha has been arrested. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing into both the minor accused and the gurukul management.

The District Police Range Kathmandu stated that a formal complaint has been received and both angles of the case are under investigation. The victim’s parents said they first enrolled their daughter at the gurukul during the COVID-19 period and later also enrolled their five year old son. They allege that their son was also subjected to physical punishment while staying there. After discovering the abuse, they withdrew both children from the institution. The girl later disclosed the abuse during counseling after being moved to another ISKCON run gurukul in Palpa, where she was placed following her removal from Kathmandu. 

After the allegations came to light, ISKCON representatives in Palpa informed the organization’s headquarters in West Bengal, India. A four member investigation team was sent to Nepal, but the team reportedly returned early after alleging they faced misconduct during the inquiry process. Following this, the family approached the police formally.

The case has also drawn attention from Budhanilkantha Municipality, where officials held discussions with both parties. Mayor Mitharam Adhikari said that while discussions were held, no final conclusion has been reached. He added that while it does not clearly appear to be proven sexual abuse at this stage, there are indications of inappropriate activities that require further investigation. 

Police further confirmed that the accused minor is currently believed to be in India’s Uttar Pradesh region, specifically Vrindavan in Mathura district, where he is staying in an ashram. The allegations have also raised concerns about institutional oversight at the gurukul. Reports suggest that out of more than 22 children previously residing there, only six minors remain following the controversy.

Separately, another allegation of sexual harassment has emerged within ISKCON Nepal. A woman associated with the organization has accused a guru of sexual misconduct during her time as a practitioner. She claims she repeatedly sought justice but received no action from the institution or authorities. 

ISKCON Nepal’s administrative members include Pradeep Bhandari, Sabin Regmi, Devina Shah, Rupesh Joshi, and Harindra Thakur. An internal committee was formed to investigate the woman’s complaint, but one member claimed there was insufficient evidence, although internal disputes were acknowledged.

The complainant, however, maintains that the incident occurred around two years ago and that her complaints were ignored despite being raised through multiple channels. Authorities continue to investigate both cases as concerns grow over accountability, child protection, and safety inside religious educational institutions.