Particle.news
Download on the App Store

DOJ Closes Probe Into BAPS Akshardham in New Jersey With No Charges

The related civil lawsuit over alleged forced labor remains active in federal court.

Overview

  • Temple officials said federal prosecutors ended the four-year investigation without filing criminal charges after discussions with BAPS counsel this month.
  • The inquiry began in May 2021 after six Indian workers filed a civil complaint, the same day agents carried out court‑authorized activity at the Robbinsville site.
  • Plaintiffs alleged they were recruited on religious worker visas, worked long hours for low pay, had passports taken, and were targeted based on caste.
  • BAPS rejects the claims and says the temple was built through religious volunteer service by thousands of devotees, a framing it describes as seva.
  • Some plaintiffs later withdrew from the civil case, and Hindu advocacy groups publicly welcomed the end of the federal probe.