Karnataka High Court Halts Land Encroachment Order Against Art of Living Trust
The Karnataka High Court has issued a stay on a government order alleging that the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust (VVMVPT), affiliated with the Art of Living Foundation, encroached on state land. This decision comes in the case titled Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust v State of Karnataka.
The government order, dated July 17, had not only accused the trust of land encroachment but also established a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. Justice ES Indiresh, presiding over the matter, identified procedural lapses, particularly the absence of a mandatory joint survey before issuing such an order.
Justice Indiresh emphasized the established legal principle that any acquisition or encroachment accusation against individuals or entities must be preceded by a joint survey. This survey should include the aggrieved parties—in this case, VVMVPT—before authorities make any decisions. The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, outlines these procedures, which, according to the court, were not adhered to in this situation.
As a result, the court granted interim relief to VVMVPT by staying the July 17 government order. The interim order, delivered on July 31, stated, “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 a stay of the impugned order dated 17.07.2026 (Annexure-C) till the next date of hearing.”
The case arose from a petition filed by VVMVPT, a trust established in 1981 under the guidance of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, leader of the Art of Living Foundation. The petition challenges the formation of an SIT by the state government to probe claims of land encroachment by the trust and related entities in South Bengaluru.
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State authorities have alleged that the trust encroached upon 290 acres of gomala (communal pastures) land, based on a survey by the Assistant Director of Land Records conducted in October 2025. VVMVPT contests these claims, arguing that due legal procedures were not observed before accusing the trust of encroachment and initiating an investigation.
The High Court has directed the state to provide a response to these allegations. The case is scheduled for further hearing on August 17.
[Read Order]
