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Contributors Danavir dasa Gosw Indradyumna Sw Kavicandra Sw |
By Vrindaban dasa
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Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to our divine acaryas!
In August 2000, several Krishna devotees were arrested in Sri Jagannatha Puri dham and charged with raping the six year old daughter of Slovakian Maria Schmidova (30). The devotees include Sriman Bhakta dasa, an old disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; Sriman Mayapur Chandra dasa, also a disciple of Srila Prabhupada; and His Grace Mandali Bhadra dasa, a disciple of H.H. Hrdayananda Goswami. Also arrested were Asoke Sahu, a follower of Paramadvaiti Swami, and four local Puri men, including the famed photographer of Lord Jagannatha, Sudarshan dasa Mohapatra.
From the inception, the men arrested protested vehemently and requested the authorities to have Maria examined by mental-health experts. They also appealed for the police not to allow Maria to leave India, as they knew she would not appear at the time of trial. The police never had Maria examined, and they did not prevent her from leaving India.
After the devotees waited in prison for 18 months the trial started in January 2002. Maria did not appear. Her daughter, the alleged victim did not appear.
The court has granted the police until April 20 to produce Maria and her daughter.
This month, the trial was scheduled for March 14 and 15. On March 15 one doctor appeared. He examined Asoke Sahu when he was arrested. He did not find anything incriminating. Next, the forensic expert testified that he had not found anything. He did admit he had recommended the garments and bedding from Maria’s apartment be sent to the state lab for further tests. This was not done.
On March 15 the prosecutor had no witness, so the trial was adjourned until April 18-20.
There is no indication that Maria will appear. In fact, a year ago she admitted in the Austrian High Court that the case is false and that some unscrupulous parties in Puri had manipulated her into making the case. In the event she comes to Puri to testify, she will be in violation of the Austrian Court and will face significant fines and possible imprisonment.
As there is no direct cause for this case, the devotees involved have accepted it has part of their parabdha karma, and have continued to chant Harinam enthusiastically, with the faith that they are under the protection of Sri Jagannatha Swami, and that by His grace their suffering has been greatly reduced. Jagannatha Swami Nayana Patha Game, Bhavatume!
Your kind prayers for the devotees entangled in this predicament are deeply appreciated.
Your humble servant,
Vrindaban dasa
© CHAKRA 24 March 2002
