Land grab twist to Art of Living extortion calls | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Land grab twist to Art of Living extortion calls

IANS | By, Bangalore
Jun 30, 2010 08:47 PM IST

The reported extortion calls to Art of Living of spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today turned into a land grab issue with a don-turned-journalist and film maker accusing the group of lodging a false case to silence him.

The reported extortion calls to Art of Living of spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday turned into a land grab issue with a don-turned-journalist and film maker accusing the group of lodging a false case to silence him.

HT Image
HT Image

Sridhar, who publishes a Kannada tabloid 'Agni' (fire) and has a written a book about his days as don in Bangalore, lodged a complaint against the group at the Kumaraswamy Layout police station saying he was being falsely accused of making extortion calls.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"I met Ravi Shankar at his ashram (complex) June 18 to persuade Art of Living to settle a land issue. It was a cordial talk. There was no threat or any such thing," Sridhar told reporters, a day after the group said it was getting calls to pay up Rs.42 crore failing it would be defamed.

Sridhar said he learnt from someone in the Art of Living that while his name had not been mentioned in the complaint to the Ramanagara police, his telephone numbers had been given.

"After seeing the news about extortion calls Wednesday, I decided to take the matter to the police so that the truth will come out," Sridhar told IANS.

He said he met Ravi Shankar as his help was sought by Paul Fernandes, a realtor who claimed that about 15 acres of his land had been taken over by the Art of Living ashram, about 20 km away from Bangalore city centre.

Fernandes told reporters he had purchased the land, adjacent to the Art of Living complex on the basis of power of attorney about 12 years back from a farmer. The farmer died before executing the absolute sale dead.

Fernandes said he came to know after the farmer's death that the land had been pledged to a cooperative society in the area, from which Art of Living acquired the land.

Fernandes said he had spent over Rs. 10 million on the land and had approached Art of Living several times seeking either return of the land or fair compensation.

Since he did not get any relief, he approached Sridhar to mediate. Sridhar said he had not got any call from the Ramanagara police though his telephone numbers had been mentioned by Art of Living in its complaint.

Art of Living spokespersons did not respond to repeated calls for their reaction. Ravi Shankar founded the group about two decades ago. It is engaged in stress-management and social-religious services.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On