Karnataka Forms SIT to Probe Art of Living Land Encroachment Allegations

The Karnataka government has constituted an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of government land grabbing by the Art of Living ashram and its affiliated organisations on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The SIT, led by Bengaluru Regional Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas, was formed through a Government Order issued on July 17.

The SIT has been given three months to complete its investigation and submit a report to the government. According to the order, which cites a survey by the Assistant Director of Land Records conducted in October 2025, approximately 290 acres of government land in the villages of Kaggalipura, B.M. Kaval, Agara, and Uttari have been encroached. The probe is being conducted under the provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, announced on Tuesday that the SIT would also examine allegations that the Art of Living, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is in possession of 150 acres of land originally granted to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) individuals. He made this statement after meeting with leaders of Dalit communities.

“Several complaints had been received earlier. Based on these complaints, an SIT has been constituted by the Revenue Department to investigate the matter,” Dr. Parameshwara told reporters. He assured the Dalit leaders that their concerns would be addressed.

Separately, Dr. Parameshwara addressed the issue of backlog vacancies in government departments. He stated that steps would be taken to fill backlog posts in universities and other major departments, ensuring that SC and ST candidates receive reservation as per the law. “Our government is filling 72,000 posts in which SC and ST candidates will receive reservation in accordance with the law. But several posts earmarked for reserved categories have remained unfilled. These backlog vacancies, including those in universities and major departments, will be filled. The matter will be discussed with the Chief Minister,” he said.

Dalit leaders also raised concerns about the timely disbursal and adequacy of student scholarships, which Dr. Parameshwara acknowledged.