Karnataka High Court stays investigation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in alleged government land encroachment case

The Hindu
The Hindu
4h ago
The High Court of Karnataka stayed a BMTF investigation against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in an alleged government land encroachment case, citing a lack of prima facie allegations and missing supporting documents.
Karnataka High Court stays investigation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in alleged government land encroachment case
A What happened
The High Court of Karnataka stayed the investigation against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, based on an FIR registered suo-motu by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force in September 2025 alleging encroachment of certain government lands. Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed an interim order on January 13, staying the probe until January 21, and said the complaint prima facie indicated no allegations against the petitioner. The court noted the BMTF could not produce documents supporting the FIR allegation that he encroached government land in specified survey numbers at Kaggalipura Village, Bangalore South Taluk. The FIR followed a September 9, 2025 division bench order in a 2023 PIL that cited a government report indicating construction of apartments allegedly encroaching certain government lands and a lake.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Court cited lack of prima facie allegations against the petitioner: The court said a perusal of the complaint prima facie indicated no allegations against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and that he could not be drawn into the case without material indicating direct involvement.

  • 2

    Stay linked to missing records supporting the FIR allegation: The court stayed the probe because the BMTF did not produce documents to show the alleged encroachment in the specified survey numbers despite being given time to do so.

Takeaways

The investigation against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar remains stayed until January 21 while the court considers the petition and the record supporting the FIR allegations.

Topics

Law & Public Safety Crime & Justice Courts

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