The legal battle over control of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha has intensified, with the High Court imposing significant restrictions on the organisation’s court-appointed Interim Management Committee (IMC), including a prohibition on further construction, renovation and other substantial works at the Maha Sabha Ashram.
The interim injunction, granted last week by Justice Christel Lambert-Meertins and entered on August 11, 2026, restrains the first and second respondents—Geeta Chandan-Edmond, in her capacity as Court-Appointed Manager of the affairs of the Maha Sabha, and Mahendra Mookram, also in his capacity as Court-Appointed Manager—from undertaking, continuing or authorising further works at the Ashram.
The order specifically covers capital, structural, permanent, remedial, renovation, alteration and finishing works.
The court also restricted the IMC from incurring or authorising extraordinary or substantial expenditure from Maha Sabha funds, monies or capital assets, except for ordinary and necessary expenses associated with preserving the organisation’s property and maintaining its day-to-day operations. An exception was made for emergencies involving life, safety or the physical security of the premises.
The injunction remains in force until the return date of October 16, 2026, when the matter is scheduled to return to court.
The latest development follows mounting legal challenges over the authority, spending and activities of the IMC, which was appointed by Justice Gino Persaud by order dated October 13, 2025, entered on October 27, 2025.
The court-appointed managers were tasked with overseeing the Maha Sabha’s affairs on an interim basis, including its financial affairs, preparation of outstanding accounts for audit, compilation of a membership list and organising and overseeing elections for a properly constituted Executive Committee.
The current proceedings, however, raise questions about whether the IMC exceeded the boundaries of its caretaker mandate by undertaking substantial works and making decisions affecting Maha Sabha property and finances.
According to the latest court report, the application leading to the injunction was brought by former Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine, Latchman Motoosammi, Deo Anta Singh, Khemrajie Kissun, Vidiyashree Samwaroo and Rahul Singh. The court found that significant factual disputes existed between the parties and determined that those issues would have to be resolved at trial.
The proceedings have consequently been converted into a Statement of Claim. The applicants are required to file their claim by September 11, the respondents their Defence and Counterclaim by September 29, and the applicants their Reply by October 9. A Case Management Conference is scheduled for October 16.
The injunction adds another layer to a much older governance crisis within the Maha Sabha. The organisation has reportedly not held a General Meeting to elect an Executive Committee in accordance with its governing rules since 1995, resulting in successive court-appointed management arrangements.
Separate proceedings before Justice Gino Persaud also challenge the continued appointment of Chandan-Edmond and raise concerns about the IMC’s handling of the organisation’s affairs, including alleged expenditure exceeding $21 million, construction and renovation activities, and access to Maha Sabha properties and records. Those claims remain matters before the court and are not findings of wrongdoing.
The latest order, however, sends a clear interim message: major works and extraordinary spending at the Maha Sabha Ashram are now effectively frozen pending further judicial consideration.
With the injunction remaining in force until October 16, the court—not the competing factions—will ultimately determine how the disputed issues surrounding the Maha Sabha’s management, finances, property and future governance should proceed
