11/11/97 - 1196

Incriminating Whisper Found On "Poison Tapes"

USA (VNN) - VNN has received the following bulletin which was also sent to several GBC members and COM forums:

FROM: Balavanta das, appointed by the GBC Executive Committee as special independent investigator into charges that Srila Prabhupada was allegedly poisoned, on behalf of the GBC Executive Committee to all ISKCON devotees:

On a tape from Srila Prabhupada's room in Vrindavan, India dated November 8, 1977, the original of which is with the Bhaktivedanta Archives, there is a statement by Srila Prabhupada in Hindi which some people have interpreted to mean that Srila Prabhupada was being poisoned. Balavanta was asked to investigate this matter.

In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that another tape from the same location dated November 10, 1977, the original of which is also with the Archives, contains a whisper which was picked up by the tape recorder. The statement in the whisper refers to poison. This tape was digitally processed for clarity by an independent laboratory in Gainesville, Florida. According to the laboratory technician the following is the probable contents of the whispered statement either:

1. "Lets not poison him and go" or
2. "Lets now poison him and go."

We are currently sending the tape to another laboratory with more advanced equipment for further investigation. We will report the results of that study as available.

Balavanta das
(end quote)

Balavanta das has confirmed this report and says that the Bhaktivedanta Archives also have confirmed the whisper on their copies of the tape.

Above section in Quicktime Sound File (325 kb)

Sound Clip in WAV Sound File (390 kb)

For the latest updates on this investigation please click here.