Official Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection on the case of Mayapur Candra dasa, decided 10 August 2000

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Official Decision on the case of Mayapur Candra dasa


This judgment, decided on August 10, 2000, was rendered in accordance with the guidelines for
adjudicating cases of alleged child abuse established by the ISKCON Child Protection Task
Force Report and ratified by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission. This judgment is the
Official Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP) on the case of
child abuse allegedly perpetrated by Mayapur Candra dasa, who served as temple president in
Jagannatha Puri from 1991 through 1996. Mayapur Candra is in his 50s, he is approximately 5’
9” tall, 160 pounds, with greying hair and glasses. He is initiated by Jayapataka Maharaja.


This decision defines the parameters ofthe relationship of Mayapur Candra dasa with ISKCON.
The ICOCP advises child abuse victims, their parents, and all members of the ISKCON
organization to report allegations of child abuse to governmental social service and law
enforcement authorities. Also, the ICOCP advises all members of ISKCON to learn and follow
their local laws regarding child abuse and mandated reporting of child abuse.


This panel has determined, based on testimony that is in the case file of this case, that Mayapur
Candra dasa caressed the legs ofa 12 year old giri, while the girl was at his home in Jagannatha
Puri. The girl was a friend of Mayapur Candra’s daughter. According to the Task Force Report
this transgression constitutes a precursor to child sexual abuse.


Based on the evidence described above, the Official Decision ofthis adjudicatory panel is as
follows:


As a lifetime restriction, Mayapur Candra must not hold positions of leadership in ISKCON or
with an organization affiliated with ISKCON. Also, he must not have service connected with
children, nor can he reside on ISKCON property, or on the property of an organization that is
affiliated with ISKCON. Additionally, if he visits ISKCON property or the property of an
organization affiliated with ISKCON, and the devotee, or the parents of the devotee, whom he
mistreated when she was a child is present, he must leave the property unless the devotee and her
parents agree, without being coerced, that he can stay.

In order for Mayapur Candra to be permitted to give classes or lead kirtanas at an ISKCON
temple, or on the premises of an ISKCON-affiliated organization, or at an ISKCON-related
function, he must undergo a psychological assessment and comply with the recommendations for
ongoing therapy contained in that evaluation. The evaluation and therapy must be conducted by a
mental health professional that is pre-approved by the ICOCP. Also, he must write a letter of
genuine apology to the devotee whom he transgressed against. Additionally, Mayapur Candra
dasa must contribute at least $2,000 to the grant program of either Children of Krishna or the
Child Protection Office. This money will be given to the young woman whom he offended when

she was a child. If she does not accept the funds, then the money will be given to another
Vaisnava who suffered mistreatment as a child. If he complies with these directives for
evaluation, therapy, a $2,000 contribution, and an apology letter, then after two years from the
date ofthis decision the ICOCP will consider lifting his ban on giving class and leading kirtana.

If he breaks any of these injunctions, then he can have no association with ISKCON temples
until his case is reviewed by the CPO.


These judgments constitute the minimum restrictions that an ISKCON organization may place on
Mayapur Candra dasa. Any specific ISKCON organization may choose to invoke more stringent
restrictions,


According to the ISKCON Child Protection Task Force Report, Section 5, in cases where an
allegation(s) of child abuse are determined to be valid, the accused may appeal the Official
Decision to the GBC Executive Committee and the ISKCON Minister of Justice within one
month from receiving the Official Decision. The Official Decision described in this document is
effective immediately, and the perpetrator must abide by its guidelines during the appeal process,
should he choose to appeal this decision.


While this Official Decision has delineated various restrictions and conditions, the panel
members realize that engagement in devotional service to Sri Krsna is essential for purification.
Though it is not the function of this panel to determine or suggest the type of devotional service
that Mayapur Candra dasa should perform, we want to mention that, within the restrictions
described herein, there are countless ways in which Mayapur Candra dasa may serve Srila
Prabhupada’s mission, and we encourage him to do so, Also, we wish to state that the directives
described in this document, such as writing an apology letter and donating for the betterment of
the children of Srila Prabhupada’s movement, are also forms of bhakti-yoga.

 Judges serving on this case were: Gandharvika dasi, Tamal Vrksa dasa, and Srikama dasi. The
 Case Manager for this case was Dhira Govinda dasa. The Director of the I[COCP at the time of
 this Official Decision was Dhira Govinda dasa.