Last updated: June 18, 2026. This article reports on an ongoing police investigation and is based on statements from the police and reports by Nepali news outlets. The person named has been arrested for investigation and has not been convicted of any crime; all allegations remain unproven and under investigation.
Suraj Krishna Shrestha, an operator associated with the ISKCON Budhanilkantha centre and its Bhaktivedanta Gurukul in Kathmandu, has been arrested by Nepal Police in connection with a child-related offence, in a case that has drawn wide public attention across Nepal. Police say the matter is under investigation. This report summarises what has been officially confirmed so far, how the case came to public attention, and answers common questions — including what ISKCON is.
What happened: the ISKCON Budhanilkantha case
According to Nepali news outlets and the human-rights news portal INSEC, Suraj Krishna Shrestha was taken into custody in mid-June 2026 over allegations of physically and mentally abusing children at the ISKCON centre in Budhanilkantha Municipality–5, Kathmandu. INSEC reported the arrest took place on June 14, after which an investigation into child-related offences was initiated against him. He has been held in police custody while inquiries continue.
What the police have said
Police have stated that the case is being investigated under the provisions of Nepal’s Children’s Act. As reported by Nepali media, Superintendent of Police (SP) Pawan Kumar Bhattarai clarified that the case is currently based on a complaint and remains under investigation, and that no rape charges have been confirmed at this stage, with further inquiry ongoing. In other words, the authorities are investigating the allegations; they have not been established in court.
How the case came to public attention
Reports indicate that details of the alleged abuse first surfaced on social media, shared by people connected to the matter, before the issue reached the wider public and the authorities acted. The case quickly became one of the most-discussed news topics in Nepal. Following the public attention, ISKCON’s international body is reported to have sent a monitoring team to Nepal to look into the matter.
Legal status and presumption of innocence
It is important to be clear about the legal position. Suraj Krishna Shrestha has been arrested for the purpose of investigation — this is not a conviction. Under the law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court. The police investigation is ongoing, and any charges and their outcome will be determined through the legal process. This article therefore does not present the allegations as established facts.
What is ISKCON? (Full form and meaning)
ISKCON stands for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a global Hindu religious organisation popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement. It was founded in 1966 in New York by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and is based on the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of devotion to Lord Krishna. ISKCON is known worldwide for its temples, the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, free food-distribution programmes, and the publication of texts such as the Bhagavad Gita.
ISKCON in Nepal
ISKCON operates temples and centres in several parts of Nepal, including in the Kathmandu Valley, with the ISKCON Budhanilkantha centre being one of them, alongside others associated with the movement in cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara. A Bhaktivedanta Gurukul — a residential school linked to the movement — was operating at the Budhanilkantha centre. The current case relates to that institution and is the reason searches for “ISKCON Budhanilkantha,” “ISKCON Nepal” and “ISKCON case” have risen sharply.
Support and child protection
Cases involving children are serious and sensitive. In Nepal, anyone who is aware of a child in danger or in need of help can contact the national Child Helpline on 1098, a free, 24-hour service. Concerns about child safety can also be reported to the Nepal Police.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Suraj Krishna Shrestha?
Suraj Krishna Shrestha is an operator associated with the ISKCON Budhanilkantha centre and its Bhaktivedanta Gurukul in Kathmandu. In mid-June 2026 he was arrested by Nepal Police in connection with a child-related offence and is under investigation.
What is the ISKCON Budhanilkantha case about?
It refers to a police investigation into alleged abuse of children at the ISKCON centre in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, following which Suraj Krishna Shrestha was arrested. The case is under investigation under Nepal’s Children’s Act.
Has Suraj Krishna Shrestha been convicted?
No. He has been arrested for investigation and has not been convicted. The allegations remain unproven and the case is ongoing; under the law he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What charges have been confirmed?
Police say the case is being investigated under the Children’s Act based on a complaint, and that no rape charges have been confirmed at this stage, with the investigation continuing.
What does ISKCON stand for?
ISKCON stands for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the global Hindu organisation known as the Hare Krishna movement, founded in 1966.
Where is ISKCON Budhanilkantha located?
It is located in Budhanilkantha Municipality–5 in the Kathmandu district of Nepal.
