Bengaluru, 22 July (H.S.):The Karnataka government has ordered a three-month investigation into allegations that the Art of Living (AoL) ashram and its affiliated organisations illegally occupied government land on the outskirts of Bengaluru, constituting an 11-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the claims.

The SIT, headed by Bengaluru Regional Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas, was constituted through a Government Order issued on July 17. It has been directed to complete its investigation within three months and submit a comprehensive report to the state government.

The inquiry follows a survey conducted by the Assistant Director of Land Records in October 2025, which reportedly found that around 290 acres of government land had been encroached upon. The land identified in the survey is located in the villages of Kaggalipura, B.M. Kaval, Agara and Uttari, on the southern outskirts of Bengaluru.

The investigation has been initiated under the provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act. Officials are expected to verify land ownership records, examine the legality of land occupation and determine whether any violations of the law have taken place.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said the SIT's mandate would also include allegations that nearly 150 acres of land originally granted to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) beneficiaries had come under the possession of the Art of Living organisation.

Speaking to reporters on July 21, Parameshwara said the government had received several complaints over the issue in recent years. He added that leaders of Dalit organisations had recently met him seeking action, and they were informed that the Revenue Department had already constituted the SIT to investigate the matter.

The findings of the SIT are expected to determine whether any illegal occupation or transfer of government and SC/ST land has taken place and recommend further legal or administrative action, if warranted.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman