A couple of weeks back, a group of Mandir’s Board Trustees filed a lawsuit against other Board Trustees and the Executive Committee. The whole fiasco started when this publication reported a blatant disregard for the Hindu Temple by-laws by the Board in electing the new Executive Committee. After reviewing the published article, some original Board Members led by the Chair, Jagdish Mehta, took corrective action to enforce the adopted by-laws. When a group of Trustees did not get their way, they filed a lawsuit against the three Board Trustees and Executive Committee (Defendants), with the Hindu Society of Nevada as a Plaintiff in the litigation.

In response to the complaint, the Defendant’s attorney has asserted that the Plaintiff’s claim to be the “rightful” management team of the Hindu Society of Nevada (the “Temple”) – or to be representing the Temple’s interests at all – overlooks the myriad violations of Temple By-Laws that are fatal to its claim to authority.

The succinct response excerpts on the issues listed below are from the Defendant’s legal team. As submitted in the court, the focus is on not following the Temple by-laws and reflecting the severity of the allegations and ongoing disagreements among the Trustees. The complete details can be read in response to the claims made by Plaintiffs.

• The Bogus Election of Three Trustees on February 20, 2022.
• Gopi Latpate’s Specious Claim to Power – October 23, 2022 Meeting.
• The Procedurally Improper and Manipulated December 2023 Election.
• Canceling of Election by Chairman Mehta. Resignation of Gopi Latpate and Ujwalla Mahatme.
• Ill-conceived Plans by Ranjit Jain and Ram Janga.
• Latpate and Mahatme Rescinding Resignations.
• Emergency Board Meeting and New Appointments.

As per the response, Defendant’s legal team argues that Plaintiff has not demonstrated a right to injunctive relief. A party seeking a preliminary injunction must establish that it is likely to succeed on the merits, that it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest. The challenging response highlights – No denial of religious freedom; March 24, 2024, Temple event passed without issue; Plaintiff’s Red-Herring Relating to Donations; No “falsification” of Secretary of State filings; and Bank Account issues.

Attachments in the response include:

• Minutes from the Board of Trustees Meetings including Special Emergency Meeting
• Numerous Declarations from Individuals
• Emails from Applicants for the Executive Committee
• Resignation and rescinding emails from Mr. Latpate and Ms. Mahatme
• Chairman Jagdish Mehta’s Correspondence
• Specific Revenue & Expense Report
• Secretary of State Registration
• Meadows Bank Correspondence
• Lawyers Correspondence, and more.

Please click here to read the complete response to the lawsuit.