ISKCON director held in child abuse investigation

KATHMANDU, June 16

Suraj Krishna Shrestha, director of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) located in Budhanilkantha Municipality-5, Kathmandu, is currently in police custody. Shrestha was arrested on June 10 and has since been held at the detention facility of the Kathmandu District Police Range, Bhadrakali, where police are continuing their investigation.

According to SP and police spokesperson Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, Shrestha is being investigated on charges related to an offence against a child. “We have initiated an investigation into an offence against a child. Various aspects related to the case are being examined,” SP Bhattarai said. ISKCON operates the Bhaktivedanta Gurukul in Budhanilkantha, where students receive formal education. Police said the case involves the alleged mistreatment of a student by Shrestha.

Relatives of the child filed a complaint with the police during the first week of Jestha (mid-May). Based on the complaint, police arrested Shrestha on June 10 and launched an investigation. According to police, Shrestha is accused of causing physical and psychological harm to the child. The complaint alleges that he assaulted, physically handled, mistreated, neglected and discriminated against the student.

Police said they have interviewed individuals connected to the case, conducted medical examinations of the child’s injuries and arranged psychological counselling for the victim. Investigators have also consulted the doctor who examined the child. Police said Shrestha’s statement has already been recorded as part of the investigation.