Karnataka High Court stays GO of SIT investigation into Art of Living land encroachment complaints

The Karnataka High Court has stayed a government order (GO) accusing the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust (VVMVPT), which is affiliated to the Art of Living Foundation, of encroaching on State land [Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust v State of Karnataka]..The July 17 GO had also set up a special investigation team (SIT) to inquire into such allegations..However, Justice ES Indiresh found that the authorities appeared to have failed to conduct a joint survey, a mandatory procedure, before passing the GO, accusing the trust of land encroachment. "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 (VVMVPT) and thereafter, respondent-authorities have to take decision in the matter," it said. The Court added that the procedure contemplated under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 would also have to be followed before finding that the land in question was encroached by VVMVPT.The Court found that this process did not appear to have been followed in the present case. Therefore, it granted VMVPT interim relief by staying the July 17 GO."It appears from the impugned order, 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," states the interim order passed on July 31. .The Court was hearing a plea filed by the VVMVPT, a trust established in 1981 under the aegis of the Art of Living foundation headed by spiritualist Sri Sri Ravi Shankar..As per reports, an SIT was recently formed by the State government to conduct a probe into allegations of encroachment of State lands by the Art of Living Foundation and its affiliated entities in South Bengaluru district. The State claims that 290 acres of gomala (communal pastures) land were encroached, going by a survey conducted by the Assistant Director of Land Records in October 2025.The VVMPVT has challenged the move before the High Court, arguing that the procedure contemplated under the law was not followed before the trust was accused of encroachment and probe initiated into the same. .The Court has sought the State's response in the matter. The case is listed for further hearing on August 17. .Senior Advocate Sriranga along with advocate Sumana Naganand appeared for VVMPVT. .[Read Order]