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WORLD February 29, 2000 VNN5577 Related VNN Stories Police Report Regarding Maha-Mantra Das USA, Feb 29 (VNN) — Dear Prabhus; The assembled devotees of Saranagati Dhama in Western Canada would like to send out a world wide warning to all the temples, preaching centers and gatherings, to be on the lookout for an extremely violent abuser, who goes by the name of Maha-Mantra Das, a.k.a. Matthew Zacharias, a disciple of Satsvarupa Maharaja. He was last reported to be on his way to India. A police report has been filed with the local authorities. He is at present banned from Western Canadian temples by the GBC and local councils.
This person has no control over his anger impulses. Maha-Mantra Das is an habitual abuser who has left his wife with life long disabilities. This person has beaten adult devotees both male and female, child devotees as well as an infant. Social services have put his children in protective custody. Do not be misled by his false humility or his vaisnava attire. He is extremely good at convincing one and all of his supposed sincerity to please Srila Prabhupada and the vaisnavas. He appears kind and gentle but beware when provoked he does not hesitate to strike. We advise that for your own protection it would be best to have the local police escort him out of the facility. Hare Krsna, The concerned devotees of Saranagati Dhama Hare Krsna; All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Please find enclosed the police report filed by Shanta Devi Dasi (wife of Maha-Mantra Das) with respect to a previous warning sent in regard to Maha-Mantras' abusive behaviour. Please be advised that the details included below are but a small (less than 10%) of the actual incidents involved. Shanta Devi has requested VNN to post this in the sincere hope that it may help others in similar situations to find the courage to take action against this severe criminal behaviour. VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT 850 CALEDONIA AVENUE VICTORIA, BC V8T 5J8 PHONE: (250) 995-7654 FILE # 00-44 33 History of Matthew Zacharias's (a.k.a. Maha-mantra dasa) Abuse The following is a truthful account of what happened to me and my children. Violence and/or the threat of violence were a daily occurrence in our lives. Our safety was always in jeopardy. Various methods of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual abuse were constantly used to intimidate and manipulate us: hitting, spitting, kicking, slapping, poking, swearing, blaming, criticizing, etc. occurred on a regular basis. My three children - Wendy (age 9), Sonja (age 8), and Alisha (age 5) - and I moved in with Matthew Zacharias in early Spring of 1994. In late Spring of 1994, Matthew hit Alisha in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. In September of 1994, Matthew picked up Alisha by the neck with both hands, and locked her in the house alone because she was crying. During November of 1994, the three children were randomly beaten with a broom. In late November of 1994, Matthew pulled me by the hair, kicked me in the stomach and pushed me to the ground. Then he ran away, leaving me alone in the dark near the Johnson St. Bridge. During December of 1994, Matthew's behavior became worse. He would grab, push, poke and shake me violently. One time he pulled my hair and kicked me in the stomach. Shouting profanities, he ran away. We left for India in January of 1995. The abuse increased. During this month he slapped my face on a train. He refused to buy bottled water, saying that I had to get used to Indian water. In Udupi he slapped my face, grabbed my hair, and shook my head. He publicly beat me, causing a crowd to gather and police were summoned. He told them I was crazy. He later backhanded me in the mouth, pushed me on the ground, and kicked my legs. During a train ride in India, I was surrounded by men who began touching me inappropriately while Matthew watched from an overhead bunk. When I protested, he dismissed it. The molesting continued until the end of the train ride. On arriving in the city of Puri, Orissa, the ticket collector at the station asked to see our tickets. Matthew punched him in the stomach. We were taken away by the police as we had no tickets. The police beat us, forcing us to pay a bribe. Matthew refused to buy train tickets in India (even though he always had more than enough money), putting our safety at risk. In the city of Goa, Matthew pushed me down in a courtyard of a hotel. I received cuts on my hands and knees. A hotel proprietor witnessed this and chastised Matthew. Matthew told him that I was in need of correction. The man suggested that we get a hotel room so that I could rest and shower. Matthew refused. - 2 - During our travels in India, Matthew yelled at me frequently. I suffered from dehydration and severe headaches. This infuriated Matthew. He vented his anger and frustration on me by spitting in my face, slapping me in the head, knocking me to the ground, and kicking me in the ribs. Many local people watched these acts. We returned to Canada in March of 1995. In April/May of 1995, Matthew became even more violent and intolerant towards all of us. There was much poking, pinching, spitting on us, hitting and slapping. He frequently pushed me down and kicked me. He used very explicit and derogatory language towards us. We were afraid of him most of the time. Guests frequently witnessed Matthew's irrational outbursts. He often beat the children in public places such as stores, parking lots, and city streets. We dreaded going out with him, as he was so unpredictable. In April of 1995, Matthew beat the three children with a broom while shouting profanities. Later that month, Matthew beat me on Store Street in Victoria. Several people witnessed this, and I was taken to a women's shelter. After two nights there, I returned to Matthew. In June of 1995, Matthew beat me with his shoes. I screamed and ended up with one eye severely bruised with ruptured eye vessels. The left side of my face had shoe treadmarks which stayed for several days. My arms were bruised where he had grabbed them. In August of 1995, Matthew kicked me in the stomach and chest several times, leaving me on the ground (at night) near the Johnson Street Bridge. We moved to another apartment on September 1, 1995. I became pregnant with Matthew's child in September of 1995. In October of 1995, Matthew kicked me very hard in the back, hips, and abdomen (while I was pregnant), pulled my hair, shook my head violently, and pulled me backwards onto the floor. I blacked out. Several young people witnessed this and chased Matthew down the road. In November of 1995, Matthew grabbed my cheeks with both hands and pushed me into a wall. The children screamed and called 911. Matthew unplugged the phone, and chased me onto the roof. The police came, but no charges were laid. Also in November of 1995, Matthew kicked me in the stomach and whipped my face with a thick woolen shawl, yelling derogatory remarks. (on Store St.). In late January of 1996, Matthew wanted me to give birth to the baby in India. I was hesitant and afraid of this idea. When I expressed my concern to him, he suddenly backhanded me with such force that I fell backwards onto the floor, hitting my head. I was four months pregnant. In February of 1996, we moved to a farm community in Ashcroft, B.C. It was very cold there, and I was often left alone for days at a time to chop wood and feed and care for my children. We were very isolated, with no company or support. Matthew would return to criticize and abuse us. On several occasions he would hit us in the face with his large wooden beads. - 3 - In March of 1996, we were driving home. Matthew decided that the children should walk instead. I felt that it was too cold to let them. He began to slap the girls and they all jumped out of the car. Then he leaned over, opened my door, and began to kick me out of the car. He also punched me in the lips, causing them to bleed. I fell out of the car with my head dangerously near the wheels. Matthew sped off in the car, running over my hair and just missing my head. He swerved towards my eldest daughter, who jumped into a ditch to avoid being hit. We walked home in the snow. During the month of March 1996, Matthew was often tense and enraged. He yelled at me constantly and often slapped or pushed me. On one occasion, I received a severe blow to my face which cracked two teeth. He pushed me to the ground and repeatedly kicked my legs and sides. At the end of March 1996, Matthew continually beat me in the face with his large prayer beads while driving in a car. In early April of 1996, Matthew pulled me backwards and I fell, hitting my head and tailbone on the ice. During the month of May 1996, we moved to Ashcroft. I was eight months pregnant. Matthew's outbursts became continuous. He repeatedly pulled my hair, beat and kicked me. He said that I was stupid because I was a woman. On one occasion, he jumped full force on my belly with both feet (while I was eight months pregnant). He did this over again, causing me great pain and trauma. He spat in my face, claiming that I disgusted him. While attending a public festival in Ashcroft (May 1996), I became tired and needed to go home. Matthew slammed me in between the car and the car door, causing me to double over in pain. Two women tried to pull him away. I gave birth to my youngest girl, Manjula, on June 24, 1996 in Burnaby. In July of 1996, Matthew backhanded me in the face, causing my eyes to become discolored with bruising on my face. Many people saw this and some asked questions. They were told that I was clumsy and fell a lot, and that I bruised easily. In August of 1996, Matthew decided to go travelling through Alberta to sell prints. He insisted that all the children (including the baby) and I accompany him so that he could have fresh-cooked meals, and so that he did not have to pay that month's rent. My children and I (including my six week old baby) were forced to sleep in the car for almost an entire month, while Matthew slept in a camper van. During this road trip, Matthew frequently hit the children in the face with his large beads. On one occasion, my eldest daughter asked if she could purchase a small coin bag (cost: $1.50) in a shop. Matthew suddenly elbowed her in the face, causing a bruise. Customers in the store were shocked. We left quickly. In August of 1996, Matthew slapped my face, pulled my hair, and threw Wendy out of the car. - 4 - In September of 1996, Matthew pulled my hair and shook my head violently. Wendy tried to stop him. He grabbed her by the neck with both hands and strangled her until she turned purple and couldn't breathe. We had to pull him off. In October of 1996, Matthew insisted that we all go to India. I was very afraid to go there with a three-month old baby. In India we all suffered from dysentary. The eldest girl had amoebas. The baby suffered eye infections from the water used to bathe her. I suffered a severe fever lasting eleven days, from which I nearly died. Matthew would not let us return home, insisting that we stay in India for at least a year. All four children's health was deteriorating, as was my own. He finally allowed us to return after three months. Matthew refused to return with us. I moved from Burnaby to Victoria. Matthew returned in March 1997. He decided to sell our apartment. He insisted that I stay on welfare and refused to support me and the children, even though he had large bank accounts. He earned his money from selling prints that he bought wholesale and resold at hiked prices from town to town. He never had a business license and never paid any taxes - nor claimed an income. He donated 50,000 dollars to his spiritual guru. In April of 1997, Matthew began threatening me and chased me onto the top deck of our apartment and began to beat me with a broom. The children called 911 and four officers arrived. They talked to Matthew, who told them it was just a little argument, and that the children and I were exaggerating. I was asked if I was O.K. and I said yes. I did not want Matthew to go to jail. In April of 1997, we moved to a house in Esquimalt. Matthew continued his violence and abuse. Soon after we moved in, Matthew beat me while I was holding the baby, causing marks on her legs. He had no discrimination when angry and dissatisfied.. He was unpredictable in his actions. The children called the police. Once again they asked if I was going to press charges. I said no. Social workers were called in, but the file was closed. In May of 1997, Alisha was climbing up the stairs. Matthew was in an angry mood for an unknown reason, and forcefully smashed my daughter's hand with his fist.. Her hand was badly bruised, and she had to go to the doctor. Also in May of 1997, Matthew began screaming threats and chased the children through the house, whipping them with towels. The children called the police. They came with a social worker, but nothing was resolved. At the end of May 1997, Matthew was threatening me. The children tried to call the police again, but Matthew smashed the phone into Alisha's face, breaking the phone. In June of 1997, Matthew decided the house was too nice for us (we "didn't deserve it"). He had us move into a small apartment. He bought himself a van in which he stayed, moving back and forth between Victoria and Burnaby. He bought a house, but refused to let us stay there. Instead, he rented it out and kept the profit.. We were made to remain on welfare. Matthew beat Wendy while she was holding the baby. They both fell down and the baby received a deep cut on her head. Later he slapped the baby so hard for crying that her lips were bleeding. - 5 - In late June of 1997, Matthew decided to take the family travelling. We went as far as Calgary. The abuse was too much to endure. I decided to take the children home. On the way, we were involved in a car accident. The baby received a bruise to her head, two of the girls had whiplash and one bit through her tongue. The cause was sleep deprivation and stress. In late July of 1997, Matthew decided to move us to Florida. He insisted that we drive there. During this trip we were not allowed to stay in any motels. Matthew beat the children and myself often. He threatened to put the children in foster care and mental institutions. I became afraid for their safety and decided to return home. In September of 1997, Matthew beat me in the parking lot of a public park in Saanich. I was holding his daughter while he repeatedly hit me with a shoe, pulling my hair, and shaking my head. I tried to run away from him and fell. An undercover police officer witnessed everything and called for backup. Three police cars arrived. Matthew was taken away in handcuffs.. I did not charge him as I was afraid he would have to go to prison. However, the police officer did charge him. He was ordered to take counseling with a family violence project. He only completed phase one of the program. He refused to continue on to phase two. He said it was a waste of time, and that it was all a Joke. He claimed that he did not believe in counseling. He said that he was too "spiritual" for the program. In January of 1998, Matthew went to Hawaii for two weeks. When he returned, the renters were moved out of the house. He tried to find new ones, but then decided to move us in. Welfare would not give me any more support. Matthew was furious at having to support us, especially the children. He constantly reminded us of this fact, made us feel guilty about it, and punished the children for it. He often proclaimed that he "hated" my children. During the Spring of 1998, Matthew took particular delight in abusing the children, especially Wendy. He threatened to send her to a mental institution. He spat in her face, pushed her down, and would yell explicit profanity and shout perverse derogatory remarks in her face. He did this often. In July of 1998, he decided to move us to Ireland. We only stayed for six weeks. In September of 1998, Wendy began to experience severe anxiety attacks. She quit school and spent her time at home. she was afraid that Matthew would hurt me or the youngest child. During the winter of 1998, he became more bold with the violence. He began to say things like how he wished the children were gone, and how much he hated them. He said that I disgusted him. We lived in a state of constant anxiety, fear, insecurity and unpredictable crisis. We didn't know what he was going to do to us. In January of 1999, Matthew began beating me with a broom and smashed my hand and the youngest child's hand. one of the children tried to call 911, but Matthew broke the phone. The children were afraid. Later in January of 1999, Matthew threw Wendy across the living room. she hit the wall. During this period, he shoved and pushed the children frequently. He continually criticized, belittled, and verbally attacked the children. He used explicit, vulgar, and demeaning words. - 6 - In February of 1999, Matthew decided to go to India without us. During that time, I spoke with my daughters to see how they were feeling. My oldest was at the point of running away. she could no longer watch Matthew hurt us, and she was afraid. The second oldest child was very depressed and suffered from nightmares. The third child was showing signs of low self-esteem and expressed a desire not to live. The youngest child had many phobias. She had sleep disturbances and was afraid of men. she was very insecure and withdrawn. At the end of March, 1999, we finally decided that enough was enough. We were able to get an apartment and change our phone number. Matthew found this out, so we were forced to move again and change our number. I had a civil restraining order placed against Matthew. He does not have any custody or guardianship of his daughter. Shortly after this, I became severely depressed. I had continuous horrific nightmares and could not cope with the problems my children were facing after years of extreme abuse. As a result, the children were put into foster care under child protection to ensure their safety from Matthew. I now suffer from Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, for which I am receiving counseling and medication through a psychiatrist. Years of repeated and severe blows to my head have contributed to my ill health. My children are awaiting counseling with the Victoria Mental Health Clinic. They are now in foster care with intent to return to the mother. We are all working towards our recovery. WITNESS SIGNATURE: Statement Completed: POLICE SIGNATURE: DateTime PIN# Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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