Radhanatha Swami's Involvement in the Murder of Sulochan das
BY: HARE KRISHNA DASA
Sep 22, INDIA (SUN) — Regarding Radhanatha Swami's involvement in the murder of Sulochan, we should note the following three points:
1) The sworn court testimony of Dharmatma das states Radhanatha Swami was "pushing like crazy" for the murder to happen:
[From court transcription]
Q. Did he [Kuladri] say anything to you about the murder?
A. He had mentioned how he was very disturbed and how it shouldn't have been done like that. And that how Mr. Slavin [Radhanatha Swami], Mr. Wheeler [Hayagriva], and Mr. Sheldon [Tapapunjah] were pushing like crazy for this to happen, and how he had told them not to do it.
2. A letter written by Dharmatma das to Hansadutta in 1994 states clearly that Radhanatha Swami was involved in the murder:
From Dharmatma das (Alachua, Florida)
26 August 1994
Dear Hansadutta Prabhu:
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Shyamakunda Prabhu just brought me a copy of your Excommunicated, Uncommunicated, Incommunicado booklet. I was quite amazed, but not so surprised at the actions of some of the ISKCON "big devotees and leaders." Having experienced the same type of ostracization at the community here, I can sympathize with you. It never ceases to amaze me how they can be so unkind, uncompassionate and intolerant, the exact opposite qualities that real devotees should exhibit. Here at New Raman Reti in Florida, we have our share of so-called big devotees: current GBCs, ex GBCs, sannyasis , ex-sannyasis and want-to-be's. There is no shortage of false egos and holier-than-thou attitudes. My way of dealing with the situation is just that--not dealing with them at all. My family and I go to Mangal Arotika, Tulasi and japa, then come home and start our own home-schooling with the kids. We stay away from the social scenes and different trips. It's lonely, but healthier as we stay away from conflicts and fault-finding.
It amazes me that the powers-to-be dictated that you shouldn't lead kirtans or give class at the temples. Recently, they made Radhanath Swami a GBC. With all due respect, as I do like him as a person, and he is a sweet devotee, but still he was involved to some degree or had knowledge of Sulochan's murder. I know this for a fact. Not only that, he supported K Swami to the end, causing many devotees much anguish and suffering. My feeling is that he, like many of the others, is motivated by profit, adoration and distinction. It's too bad, but not at all surprising. A truly advanced devotee is a rare commodity.
Anyway, keep up the good work. Go on, irregardless of them. The best revenge is your good living in Krishna consciousness. They can't keep you from Krishna or Prabhupada.
Hope this finds you well and blissfully engaged. Look forward to your association again one day. Hari bol!
Your servant,
Dharmatma das
3. Following the revelations of Radhanatha Swami's involvement in the Sulochan murder, Radhanatha Swami arranged for free medical treatment for Dharmatma das (the person quoted in 1 and 2 above) at his hospital in India, and Dharmatma das subsequently changed his public opinion on Radhanatha Swami, glorifying him in letters sent to several websites:
From "The Miracle of Bhaktivedanta Hospital", an article by Dharmatma das about the free medical treatment:
"Our humble appreciation and thanks to everyone we came in contact with. Especially his holiness Radhanath maharaja who has infused his wonderful qualities into the hearts of all the devotees and workers there. His kindness and compassion for everyone is apparent throughout every corner of the hospital. They fixed my shoulder but also gave me a greater appreciation of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada."
From these three points we see that in sworn testimony, Dharmatma das says Radhanatha Swami was pushing like crazy for the murder. Then in a personal letter in 1994 he states basically the same thing to Hansadutta. But after receiving free medical treatment in India from Radhanatha Swami, he has become silent about the murder conspiracy and instead glorifies Radhanatha Swami. This is an obvious case of someone who was bought off for silence.
Another point to be considered is the fact that Radhanatha Swami tried to visit the murderer Tirtha in prison, but was identified by trained dogs as having illegal drugs in his possession. Why would Radhanatha Swami be visiting the convicted murderer of Sulochan das? And why would drug-sniffing dogs identify him as possessing illegal drugs? The obvious answer is that Radhanatha Swami was trying to deliver drugs to Tirtha in exchange for his silence. Tirtha has to this date covered for Radhanatha Swami and has allowed Radhanatha Swami to remain free, despite everyone knowing he was involved in the murder. Radhanatha Swami owes him for this, and he has arranged for countless "favors" over the years for Tirtha, from lawyers, to money, to special visits.
Also note that Radhanatha Swami has had Tirtha's books published, and the forward in those books is written by Radhanatha's friend, Candramauli Swami. Why would they be publishing the books of this murderer unless they owed him for something? We should also note that murderer Tirtha das was given a high preacher's post in the ISKCON Prison Ministry run by Radhanatha Swami, through his friend Chandramauli Swami. The drug delivery gone wrong was just another favor Radhanatha Swami was doing for his friend Tirtha, to keep him quiet and happy in prison. The full article on this visit can be found here, "Drug Screening for All ISKCON Gurus?"
In the letter, murderer Tirtha states:
"We deplore the fact that H.H. Radhanath Swami and H.H. Candramauli Swami have been repeatedly denied access to the Mount Olive Correctional Complex on the pretext that a drug sniffing dog alerted to the presence of illicit drugs on their persons."
From all of this we can see a clear pattern: that Radhanatha Swami tries to buy off witnesses with special favors, money, and positions of power.
