Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Karnataka SIT Probes Art of Living Land Encroachment
The Karnataka government has set up a special team to investigate if The Art of Living and its related groups have taken over more than 290 acres of government land near Bengaluru.
The team will check records, talk to people, and look at the land to see if the rules were broken.
They have to finish their report in three months.
The Art of Living says they did nothing wrong and wants a fair investigation.
The land includes places where animals graze and water bodies.
The government says the land was not used as it should have been and that some people stopped them from checking the land.
The team will also look at court cases and suggest what to do next.
The Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged land encroachment by The Art of Living and its affiliated organizations.
The SIT will investigate over 290 acres of government land, including grazing lands and water bodies, in and around Kaggalipura village.
The SIT has three months to submit its report, examining records, verifying land grants, and assessing environmental damage.
The Art of Living is accused of encroaching on government land through lease agreements and other means, with allegations of forged documents and illegal constructions.
The government has directed the SIT to recommend legal and administrative measures to safeguard government and public utility land.
- Who
- The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of land encroachment by The Art of Living and its affiliated organizations.
- What
- The SIT will investigate the alleged encroachment of over 290 acres of government land, including grazing lands and water bodies, by The Art of Living and its affiliated organizations.
- When
- The order to form the SIT was issued on July 17, and the SIT has been directed to submit its report within three months.
- Where
- The alleged encroachment is in and around Kaggalipura village in Bengaluru South taluk, including Survey Number 46 and surrounding villages.
- Why
- The government has constituted the SIT to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged encroachment and to recommend legal and administrative measures to safeguard government and public utility land.
Government and Activists
The Art of Living
Land Encroachment
Government and Activists
The government alleges that The Art of Living has encroached upon over 290 acres of government land, including grazing lands and water bodies, through lease agreements and other means.
The Art of Living
The Art of Living denies any discrepancies during the acquisition of land for the Foundation and welcomes a thorough and impartial investigation.
Legal Actions
Government and Activists
The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations and has directed the panel to submit its report within three months.
The Art of Living
The Art of Living may challenge the government's actions in court and dispute the findings of the SIT.
- Date of Order
- July 17
- Head of SIT
- Amalan Aditya Biswas
- Total Land Allegedly Encroached
- 291 acres and 38 guntas
- Leased Land
- 60 acres
- Timeframe for SIT Report
- Three months
- Key Locations
- Kaggalipura village, Agara village, BM Kaval
- Legal Framework
- Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011
