Karnataka High Court Refuses To Stay Probe Against Sri Sri Ravishankar Booked In FIR Over Encroachment Of Public Lands

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (January 7) refused to stay further investigation or pass any protective order in favour of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, who is named as an accused in an FIR over alleged encroachment of public lands in Bengaluru.

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.

Issuing notice on the plea Justice M Nagaprasanna said:

“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 encroachers. Therefore, without looking into the records, it would not be appropriate to pass any protective order at this juncture. Petitioner is at liberty to move, in the event any notice of investigation is issued upon the petitioner. List the matter on 12.01.2026 in the fresh matters list.”

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.

Before the single judge, Advocate P Prasanna Kumar appearing for the petitioner argued that the petitioner has nothing to do with the activities of the other accused. He neither owns any property nor has encroached any land and therefore the proceedings or investigation must be stayed against the petitioner.

Further, he emphasised that the order of the Division Bench was based upon a report of the Government which was placed along with a memo and the map appended to it. The memo does not name the petitioner, as the petitioner is in no way concerned with the alleged encroachments done by other persons who were parties in the public interest petition.

The court also directed the Additional State Public Prosecutor to secure the entire records and place it before the Court on the next date of hearing.

The matter is listed on January 12.

Appearance. Advocate P Prasanna Kumar for Petitioner. ASPP B N Jagadeesha for respondent.

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

Case No: WP 143/2026