Karnataka High Court Stays SIT Probe Into Alleged Land Encroachment By Trust Linked To Art Of Living Foundation
The Karnataka High Court has stayed a Government Order dated July 17, 2026, which constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against a public charitable trust- Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, linked to Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living Foundation-over allegations of land encroachment.
The single judge bench of Justice M.G.S. Kamal, while hearing a writ filed by the Trust, directed that the operation of the impugned order for SIT investigation shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing, i.e., August 17.
“…It is also well settled principle in law that if any acquisition has been made against any person much less the petitioner herein as to the encroachment of the land belonging to the Government, under such circumstances, the joint survey has to be conducted in the presence of the persons aggrieved (petitioner in this writ petition) and thereafter, respondent-authorities have to take decision in the matter….”, the court observed in the order.
The Court referred to its order in W.P.No.15264 of 2023, where it had emphasized the procedure to be followed in cases of alleged encroachment.
For context, the petitioner-trust challenged the GO passed by the Revenue Department and sought quashing of the order on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal, and without jurisdiction.
The petitioner contended that the respondent-authority lacked the power to constitute a SIT under Section 195 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 and Section 8 of the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011 in the matter.
Upon perusal of the impugned order, the Court prima facie found that the required procedure had not been followed by the respondent-authorities.
“…It appears from the impugned order at Annexure-C that, said process/procedure has not been followed by the respondent-authorities. In that view of the matter, there shall be stay of the impugned order dated 17.07.2026 (Annexure-C) till the next date of hearing...”, the Court added.
It further noted that in order to identify the land belonging to the petitioner and fix boundaries, as well as to determine encroachment, if any, the procedure contemplated under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, and the Rules thereunder must be followed.
Senior Counsel Sriranga appearing for the petitioner, submitted that a Special Committee had already been constituted under Section 195 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, to look into encroachment, if any, made by the petitioner.
The Senior Counsel further submitted that there was no report before the respondent-Government regarding any encroachment. Moreover, the respondent-authorities could not conclude that encroachment had been made without conducting a joint survey in the presence of the petitioner.
It was also submitted that the petitioner had made an application seeking boundary demarcation and removal of encroachment in respect of the land in question, which was pending consideration before the respondent-authorities.
Along with interim stay, the court has now issued notice to the respondent authorities in the matter.
The current challenge against the SIT investigation mandate by the Revenue Department ion July 17 is reportedly connected to the state government's attempt to get to the bottom of encroachment allegations against the Art of Living Foundation and linked entities in Bengaluru South Taluk.
Case Title: Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
Case No.: Writ Petition No. 23778 of 2026