Karnataka High Court Refuses to Stay Probe Against Sri Sri Ravishankar in Land Encroachment Case
Justice M Nagaprasanna declines protective orders as spiritual guru faces allegations of illegal occupation of government land and construction on storm water drain in Bengaluru
BENGALURU, January 8, 2026 – The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday refused to halt the ongoing investigation against spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, who has been named as an accused in an FIR alleging encroachment of public lands in Bengaluru, including construction on a critical storm water drain.
Justice M Nagaprasanna declined to grant any protective orders in favor of the Art of Living founder, who had approached the court seeking to quash the First Information Report registered against him by the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force Police.
The Allegations
The FIR charges Ravishankar under Section 192A of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, which deals with offenses and penalties related to land encroachment. The law specifically states that if a person unlawfully enters or occupies any government land with the intention of holding that government land, they shall be imprisoned for one year and fined Rs 5,000.
According to the prosecution, constructions have been raised in Survey Numbers 164/2, 163/3, 161/7, and 160 of Kaggalipura Village, Uttarahalli Hobli, Bengaluru South Taluk. Additionally, a large part of Survey Number 150, which is indicated to be a tank, has also been allegedly encroached upon.
The charges are particularly serious as they include construction on a Rajakaluve—a storm water drain that connects lakes—which is crucial for Bengaluru’s already stressed water management system.
Court’s Reasoning
Justice Nagaprasanna’s refusal to stay the investigation was emphatic. “To stall any kind of investigation now would be running counter to what the Division Bench observes and permitting the appropriate authorities to act against the encroacher,” the judge stated.
The court emphasized that the order was based on a government report that was placed along with a memorandum and map. However, the judge noted that the memo does not name the petitioner specifically, as Ravishankar is not concerned with alleged encroachments done by other persons who were parties in the public interest petition.
Background of the Case
The registration of the FIR stems from an order passed by the high court’s division bench in a public interest litigation that alleged respondents had encroached upon public lands and constructed properties on a Rajakaluve. Ravishankar was added as respondent number 5 in the PIL along with other persons who have also been named as accused in the crime.
The division bench had, in view of the government’s stance that there has indeed been encroachment of public lands, disposed of the PIL by directing action to be taken against encroachers in accordance with law.
Not the First Controversy
This is not the first time Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Art of Living Foundation has faced allegations of land encroachment. In 2001, a public interest litigation was filed in the Karnataka High Court alleging that the foundation had constructed huge structures encroaching upon a water-spread area. Investigations then found that the foundation had encroached upon 6.53 hectares of tank area.
More recently, in September 2023, the Karnataka High Court held that Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, of which Sri Sri Ravishankar is the founder-trustee, had engaged in fraudulent activities regarding a piece of land it acquired between 2003 and 2005 through a court auction. Justice R Nataraj observed that the trust had propped up its trustee to be the purchaser to avoid prohibition under Section 80 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act.
What Happens Next
The court has directed the Additional State Public Prosecutor to secure the entire records and place them before the court on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for January 12, 2026, when further proceedings will take place.
The refusal to grant a stay means the police investigation will continue unimpeded, and authorities can proceed with gathering evidence and conducting inquiries into the alleged encroachments.
Broader Context: Bengaluru’s Encroachment Crisis
The case comes amid growing concern about illegal encroachments on public lands, particularly water bodies and storm water drains in Bengaluru. The city has witnessed severe flooding in recent years, partly attributed to the blocking and encroachment of Rajakaluves and lakes that are essential for natural drainage.
Karnataka’s government has been under increasing pressure to take stringent action against encroachers, irrespective of their status or influence. The division bench’s earlier direction to act against encroachers “as is warranted, albeit, in accordance with law” appears to signal a no-compromise approach.
For Sri Sri Ravishankar, who commands a global following through the Art of Living Foundation and has positioned himself as a peace envoy and spiritual leader, the legal battle represents a significant challenge. The allegations strike at the heart of environmental concerns in one of India’s most congested cities, where the protection of water bodies and public lands has become a critical issue.
The spiritual guru’s legal team is expected to contest the charges vigorously, but for now, the investigation proceeds without any court-imposed restrictions.
