Karnataka SIT to probe Art of Living land encroachment near Bengaluru
Synopsis
Karnataka has formed an SIT to investigate whether the Art of Living Foundation and its affiliates — including entities linked to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar — have encroached on roughly 291 acres of government land near Bengaluru over several decades. With an expired lease, a High Court order, and an active FIR already in play, this probe could have significant legal and institutional consequences for one of India's most prominent spiritual organisations.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka government constituted an SIT on 21 July to probe land encroachment allegations against the Art of Living Foundation and affiliates near Bengaluru .
Preliminary surveys indicate approximately 291 acres and 38 guntas of land — including around 60 acres of government-leased land — may be under the organisation's control.
An FIR has been registered against several office-bearers, including founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar .
A 41-acre lease granted in 1985 at ₹500 per acre per year expired in 2015 ; authorities allege the land remains occupied.
The Karnataka High Court had directed survey action in September 2025 ; officials reportedly faced resistance during earlier attempts.
The SIT must submit its final report within three months .
The Karnataka government on Tuesday, 21 July constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of large-scale encroachment of government and public lands by the Art of Living Foundation and its affiliated entities in and around Kaggalipura village in Bengaluru South taluk. The order, issued by the state's Revenue Department, follows a report by the Bengaluru Divisional Commissioner and observations from surveys conducted by the Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR).
Scope of the Investigation
The SIT has been tasked with examining alleged encroachments involving Survey No. 46 of Kaggalipura village and surrounding areas, including Agara and G.M. Palya villages. Entities under scrutiny include the Art of Living Foundation, Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, Art of Living International Centre, Sumeru Global Services Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Sumeru Infra Pvt. Ltd., and other named individuals and organisations.
According to the government order, surveys and land record examinations indicate that more than 290 acres of land — including government and public utility lands — may have been brought under the control of the organisation and its associates through lease arrangements, agreements, and other transactions over several decades.
Key Allegations
The government order lists specific allegations: government lands were allegedly occupied through lease agreements; lands granted under specific conditions were reportedly transferred via sale deeds; public utility lands and civic amenity spaces were allegedly encroached upon through trusts and associated institutions; and illegal structures were purportedly constructed on government and public lands.
The order also references an FIR registered against several office-bearers of the Art of Living Foundation, including founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and officials of affiliated organisations. The FIR pertains to alleged encroachments in Survey Nos. 160, 164/1, 164/2, 150, and 137 of Kaggalipura village.
Lease History and Preliminary Findings
The government order highlights that 41 acres in Survey No. 46 were leased in 1985 at a nominal rate of ₹500 per acre per year for a period of 40 years. While the lease expired in 2015, authorities allege the land continues to be occupied and used by the organisation. Similarly, 19 acres in Survey No. 135 of G.M. Palya were leased in 2003 for 30 years, with seven years still remaining on the lease.
Based on preliminary findings, the government has determined that approximately 291 acres and 38 guntas of land are presently under the control of the organisation and its affiliates, including around 60 acres of government-leased land. Multiple violations of lease conditions and land laws have also been alleged.
High Court Directions and Survey Resistance
The government order cites directions from the Karnataka High Court in September 2025, which directed authorities to initiate legal action against encroachers and conduct fresh surveys to identify encroached lands. However, officials reportedly faced resistance from local residents and persons associated with the organisation during survey attempts. This is a notable complication, as it suggests that on-ground data collection has been contested even before the formal SIT probe begins.
SIT Mandate and Timeline
Constituted under Section 195 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 and Section 8 of the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011, the SIT has been directed to verify land records, lease deeds, and grant documents; detect forged or fraudulent documents, if any; conduct fresh surveys using satellite imagery and geospatial data; identify public roads, water bodies, and civic amenities within the disputed area; and hear all stakeholders, including the organisation. The team must submit a final report to the government within three months.
The Revenue Department stated that the objective of the probe is to determine the extent of alleged encroachments, safeguard government and public lands, and recommend appropriate legal and administrative action based on the SIT's findings.
Point of View
Often through nominal leases that were never enforced after expiry. The High Court's September 2025 direction — and the reported resistance to surveys that followed — suggests that administrative inaction preceded the SIT order by months, raising accountability questions for the Revenue Department itself. If the SIT's three-month report confirms large-scale encroachment, it will set a precedent with implications well beyond Karnataka.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Karnataka formed an SIT against the Art of Living Foundation?
The Karnataka government formed the SIT after surveys and land records indicated that approximately 291 acres of government and public utility land near Bengaluru's Kaggalipura village may be under the control of the Art of Living Foundation and its affiliates. The probe follows a Bengaluru Divisional Commissioner report, a Karnataka High Court direction from September 2025, and an active FIR against several office-bearers including founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
What is the SIT tasked with investigating?
The SIT will verify land records, lease deeds, and grant documents; detect any forged or fraudulent documents; conduct fresh surveys using satellite imagery and geospatial data; and examine compliance with lease conditions. It must submit a final report to the Karnataka government within three months.
Which entities and individuals are named in the probe?
The probe covers the Art of Living Foundation, Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, Art of Living International Centre, Sumeru Global Services Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Sumeru Infra Pvt. Ltd., and other named individuals. An FIR has been registered against several office-bearers, including founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
What is the history of the land lease at the centre of the dispute?
Forty-one acres in Survey No. 46 of Kaggalipura village were leased in 1985 at ₹500 per acre per year for 40 years. The lease expired in 2015, but authorities allege the land continues to be occupied. A separate 19-acre plot in G.M. Palya was leased in 2003 for 30 years, with seven years still remaining.
What role did the Karnataka High Court play in this case?
The Karnataka High Court issued directions in September 2025 ordering authorities to initiate legal action against encroachers and conduct fresh surveys to identify encroached lands. Officials subsequently faced reported resistance from local residents and persons associated with the organisation during survey attempts, which contributed to the eventual SIT formation.
