No Ownership, No Control Over Land: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Tells Karnataka HC in Encroachment Case

Petitioner’s Stand Before the Court

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate P. Prasanna Kumar submitted that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has no ownership rights, no possession, and no administrative role concerning the lands cited in the FIR. The counsel further argued that the government memo and maps placed before the Division Bench in the earlier public interest litigation do not name the petitioner, and therefore his inclusion in the criminal case is unsustainable.

It was also pointed out that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was arrayed as a respondent in the PIL only by virtue of association, and not based on any specific finding of encroachment attributable to him.

Court’s Observation

The High Court noted that the FIR originated from an earlier Division Bench order directing action against encroachers of public land and rajakaluves in Survey Nos. 164/2, 163/3, 161/7, 160 and 150 of Kaggalipura village, after the government acknowledged encroachments in its report.

However, the Court held that granting interim protection without examining the complete records would run contrary to the Division Bench’s directions. Accordingly, it declined to stay the investigation at this stage, while clarifying that no finding has been recorded on the petitioner’s involvement.

Importantly, the Court granted liberty to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to approach the court again if any investigative notice is issued to him.

Next Hearing

• Matter adjourned to January 12, 2026
• Emergent notice issued to the BMTF Inspector
• State directed to produce the entire investigation records

Status

The High Court has neither confirmed nor rejected the petitioner’s claim, choosing instead to call for records before taking a final view.