Mayapur (Nadia), June 15 :     The principal of the gurukul at Iskcon's sprawling Mayapur complex acknowledges that young students were abused and tortured by some teachers and senior students, but that was before 1995. Dasara Das, who has been associated with the gurukul for the past 16 years, first as student and now as principal, admits that such violations took place at the seat of learning started by Iskcon almost simultaneously with its temple complex in 1975. 'The biggest series of incidents (sexual abuse) took place in 1991 when the junior boys complained that the seniors were molesting them. Some teachers were involved too. At least five of the perpetrators were expelled from the order and blacklisted,' Das said. Then, with similar stray instances being reported from other gurukuls spread across the world, the Iskcon governing body commission set up in 1996 a task force, called the international committee on child protection. This committee was to investigate and adjudicate the cases of abuse. 'The 25-member commission was unanimous that such violations could not be accepted in the philosophy of our society,' Das said. When the school started, boys of six years and above used to be admitted. Before 1991, the strength of the students, all boarders, was about 105. Then the scandals came to light and parents, mostly based in the US and the US, withdrew their children. The strength dwindled to 15. Over the past four years, faith in the way of life and standards at the school has been restored. 'We now have a strength of 45 boys from 9 to 18 years old and a waiting list of 80 candidates,' Das said. He was aware that a case might be initiated by former students of the gurukul. Six of his batchmates met him when he visited Florida last year and informed him that they were 'dissatisfied' with the years they spent at the Mayapur gurukul. The abuse had left deep scars on their minds and was affecting their life even now, they had told Das. He did not, however, expect the amount the former students would seek as damages to be so high ($400 million). Asked what would happen if the case went in the victims' favour, Das said it was for the commission to decide. 'We do not have so much asset as to pay $400 million in compensation.' The news of the lawsuit did not appear to have affected life at the Mayapur gurukula, about a kilometre away from the temple complex. Dhoti-clad, bare-torsoed boys were attending classes, some were cycling around the campus, playing the dhol. 'I like it very much here,' said Jeevapriya, 15, who has spent the last four years here. 'My parents who are in England have seen this place.' Local police said they have heard 'something about a case being filed' but did not have any complaint against Iskcon.