Karnataka High Court stays SIT formed to probe allegations of land encroachment against Art of Living
The Karnataka High Court has stayed a government order that established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe land encroachment allegations against the Art of Living Foundation. The court is reviewing whether the government had the legal authority to constitute such an investigative body.
Why it matters
The case addresses the limits of administrative power and the legal procedures required for investigating land disputes involving large organizations.
The High Court of Karnataka has stayed a Government Order (GO) constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of large-scale land encroachment against the Art of Living Foundation (AoL) and several affiliates of the AoL.
Justice E.S. Indiresh passed the interim order on a petition filed by Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust, an affiliate of the AoL, Bengaluru.
The petitioner has challenged the legality of the GO issued on July 17, 2026, constituting the SIT comprising various officers, including the Regional Commissioner, Bengaluru Division, and a retired District Judge serving as Legal Adviser to the Revenue Department.
The SIT was tasked with investigating alleged land encroachment by the trust, the Art of Living Foundation, and others in Survey No. 46 of Kaggalipura village and surrounding areas.
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