Karnataka High Court Quashes FIR Against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar In Alleged Land Encroachment Case

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (March 25) quashed an FIR registered against spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar over alleged land encroachment in Bengaluru.

The single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna however clarified that none of the observations made in the course of the order would be applicable to other accused or pending proceedings before any other forums.

A detailed order is awaited.

The development comes in a plea moved by the spiritual guru challenging the FIR. On January 13, the Court had stayed the investigation against him.

The FIR was lodged by the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force Police for 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 in a 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 spiritual leader 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.

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

Case No: WP 143/2026