The Karnataka High Court has stayed the investigation against Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, regarding allegations of encroaching government land in Bengaluru. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) registered an FIR in September 2025 based on accusations related to survey numbers 160, 164/1, 164/2, 150, and 137 at Kaggalipura Village, Uttarahalli Hobli, Bangalore South Taluk. Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the interim order on January 13, which will remain effective until the next hearing on January 21. The court noted, “A perusal of the complaint would prima facie indicate no allegations against this petitioner. Without any allegations, the petitioner cannot be drawn into the web of crime, unless the State Public Prosecutor would place on record something to indicate that the petitioner is directly involved in certain acts.” The court stayed the probe as the BMTF failed to provide documents proving Mr. Ravi Shankar’s alleged ownership or illegal occupation of any government land at the specified survey numbers, despite being given time until January 13 to submit these records. The FIR came following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2023 by Chandrashekhar N. and others. They alleged encroachment on government lands and lakes, involving the petitioner and a real estate firm. The court had earlier directed authorities to take legal action based on a government report of apartment construction encroaching on these lands. The State Public Prosecutor argued that since Mr. Ravi Shankar was named as a respondent in the PIL, there was no error in registering the FIR. However, the petitioner pointed out that his name was not in the government’s encroachment report submitted to the court, yet he was named an accused in the FIR. The case will be reviewed again on January 21.