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WORLD September 26, 1999 VNN4799 Related VNN Stories Dispute Continues Over Property BY H.H. JAYAPATAKA SWAMI CALCUTTA, INDIA, Sep 26 (VNN) — Letter from H.H. Jayapataka Swami to Adridharan das - 8th September, 1999 Dear Adridharan Prabhu, please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. In the aftermath of the fire which burned down the wedding pandal put up by yourself and others on our ISKCON property at premises no. 22, Gurusaday Road, Calcutta 700 019, the good name and reputation of ISKCON seems to have suffered a major blow. According to a Press report, at the time, the State Minister of Fire Services stated that ISKCON authorities had not taken permission from the Fire Brigade to make the said pandal, which was a "verifiable fire trap", and that a First Information report had been lodged with the Police for which action will be taken against the said authorities, namely yourself. We have also learned that you did not have the requisite fire fighting equipment on hand, nor did you take out insurance against fire loss for the temporary structure. If these allegations are true, then you, as the branch President, no doubt acted in a very negligent and irresponsible manner. Furthermore, a number of life members and devotees have voiced their apprehensions and raised objections in regards to continuing the weddings and other commercial functions upon the said property, and also in respect of the financial dealings and accountability for the same. Under the circumstances, as the ISKCON Zonal Secretary for calcutta, I need to obtain a true and factual picture of the situation, and therefore I hereby request your kind cooperation to provide the following information : 1. Please furnish all accounts and financial details, inclusive of, inter alia, audited and other accopunts, income and expenditure accounts, list of bank accounts and signors, current balance statements, etc. whether in the name of ISKCON and/or any other name(s), in respect of the weddings, catering, bakery and any other commercial activities carried out upon the said property for the last five (5) years. Please, also, furnish a complete list of the names and addresses of the persons who held the weddings and other functions therein, datewise, inclusive of the entire amount of money received by you and/or your agent(s) in each and every case. 2. Please furnish all accounts and financial details, as mentioned above, for the last five (5) years, in respect of the ISKCON Calcutta branch (which shall mean and include, herein, all and any affliates, funds and properties, whether in the name of ISKCON and/or in any other name(s) whatsoever). Please, also, provide the same information for the ISKCON property located at premises no. 22, Gurusaday Road, calcutta 700 019. 3. Please disclose, in detail, all and any immovable properties, within the state of West bengal and/or any other place(s) in India, which are owned, leased, tenanted and/or otherwise held or possessed by the ISKCON Calcutta branch, and/or for its use or purpose, whether in the name of ISKCON and/or in any other name(s) whatsoever. 4. Please disclose the details, including, inter alia, the names and addresses of the trustees, members, directors, etc. of all and any trusts, societies, companies and/or any other legal bodies, formed, carried on, and/or participated in by you and/or any of your agents, directly or indirectly, which are affiliated with, and/or for the purpose or use of ISKCON. Please also provide all accounts and financial details, as mentioned above, for each of the same. 5. Please disclose whether you, and/or any of your agents, had ever given permission to any trust, body, and/or any person(s) whatsoever, to utilize or carry out any activities upon the said property. If so, please explain the same in detail, and furnish any copy(s) of correspondence and/or agreements made, in this respect, with any other trust, body, and/or any person(s) whatsoever. 6. Please disclose whether you are utilizing funds belonging to ISKCON and/or any of its affiliates for the purpose of pursuing litigation in the Calcutta High Court against the GBC and other ISKCON leaders. If so, please provide a written explanation along with all accounts and financial details, as mentioned above, for the same. Please give your reply in writing and have it reach me no later than 15 days from the date of receipt of this letter. Until these matters are finally resolved and determined by the ISKCON Bureau, Property Trustees and the Zonal Secretary for Calcutta, please do not build/rebuild any temporary or pucca structure upon the ISKCON property at premises no. 22, gurusaday Road, calcutta, nor take any steps with the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, Department of Fire Services, Police and/or any other givernment authorities for obtaining any sanction plan and/or any permission for the same without prior approval of the ISKCON Zonal Secretaries for calcutta, ISKCON Bureau, and the Property Trustees for calcutta. I have also appointed an Investigative Committee coordinated by Dayaram das to make an independent study of the situation and to submit reports, etc. Kindly extend your cooperation to that committee so they may successfully achieve their goals and hopefully clear your name. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Your servant Jayapataka Swami ISKCON Zonal Secretary for Calcutta Vice Chairman, ISKCON Bureau ISKCON Property Trustee for Calcutta Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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