'Prima Facie No Allegations': Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against Sri Sri Ravishankar In Alleged Land Encroachment Case

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday(January 13) stayed till January 21, further investigation against spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, who is named as an accused in an FIR over alleged encroachment of public lands in Bengaluru.

Notably last week the court had refused to stay probe or pass any protective orders.

Justice M Nagaprasanna in its order noted said:

“A perusal at the complaint would prima facie indicate no allegations against this petitioner. Without any allegations, the petitioner cannot be drawn into the web of crime, unless the learned Special Public Prosecutor would place on record something to indicate that the petitioner is directly involved in certain acts, on the next date of hearing. Therefore, the investigation qua the petitioner shall remain stayed, till the next date of hearing.”

The spiritual guru had approached the high court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him by the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force Police alleging offences punishable under Section 192A (Offences and Penalties) of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964. Among the various offences listed therein, one of them states that if a person unlawfully enters or occupies on any Government land with the intention of holding that Government land he shall be imprisoned for one year and fine of rupees five thousand.

The registration of the crime was based on an order passed by the high court's division bench PIL alleging that the respondents therein had encroached upon the public lands to some extent and even constructed property on a Rajakaluve (storm water drain that connects lakes).

The petitioner was added as respondent No.5 in the PIL along with other persons who have also been arrayed as accused in the crime.

The Division Bench had in its order observed that the map indicated that certain constructions have been raised in Survey Nos.164/2, 163/3 and 161/7 and 160 of Kaggalipura Village, Uttarahalli Hobli, Bengaluru South Taluk.

Additionally, a large part of Survey No.150, which is indicated to be a tank, has also been encroached. The division bench had in view of the Government's stance "that in fact there has been encroachment of public lands", disposed of the PIL by directing action to be taken against encroachers as is warranted, albeit, in accordance with law.

Special Public Prosecutor Belliappa, argued that the name of the petitioner did spring as a respondent in the public interest petition, pursuant to which, the present crime is registered. Therefore, no fault can be found at the hands of the respondents - BMTF in registering the crime as they have followed every procedure in law. The respondents – BMTF have not committed any procedural aberration in the case at hand.

Advocate P Prasanna Kumar appearing for the petitioner submitted that the issue in the lis stands answered by the judgment rendered by a learned single bench of this Court in the case of LALITHA SASTRY V. STATE OF KARNATAKA reported in ILR 2008 KAR 4520.

However, the court refused to accept the same stating that “The said judgment is inapplicable to the facts of the case as the said judgment was rendered on a notice being issued in the proceedings, on a complaint being registered by the Tahsildar. Therefore, the Court was considering whether proceedings could be initiated without issuance of a notice. In the case at hand, the respondents - BMTF are declared to be police by a notification issued in that regard. In that light, the proceedings cannot be interjected on the score of non-compliance with the judgment rendered in the case of LALITHA SASTRY supra.”

Following which it passed the interim order.

Appearance. Advocate P Prasanna Kumar for Petitioner.

SPP Belliappa for respondent.

Case Title: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar AND State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: WP 143/2026