The Supreme Court has ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged fraudulent sales of properties belonging to the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India, a society founded under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
The Court also set aside an interim direction of the Allahabad High Court that had restrained police from filing a chargesheet in connection with an FIR registered at Noida Sector 39 Police Station.
Background of the Case
The dispute relates to alleged unauthorized sale of society land spread across different States, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. According to the case records, multiple FIRs and civil suits have been pending for years against persons accused of using forged documents and disputed authority to transfer society properties.
The present appeal before the Supreme Court was filed by complainant Shrikant Ojha against an interim order passed by the Allahabad High Court on February 6, 2026. The High Court had allowed investigation to continue in FIR No. 642 of 2025 but directed police not to file a report under Section 193(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) during the pendency of the writ petition.
The FIR alleged that certain persons, including directors of M/s Singhvahini Infraprojects Private Limited, purchased society land on the basis of forged documents and were further selling the property without authorization.
A Bench of Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar noted serious concerns over repeated sale transactions involving society land despite ongoing litigation and earlier FIRs.
The Court observed that
“the land of the society is being sold repeatedly,” and questioned the justification behind restricting the filing of a chargesheet while investigation was continuing.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling in Neeharika Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Maharashtra, the Bench reiterated that courts should be cautious while passing blanket interim orders that interfere with police investigation.
The Bench further clarified that the High Court had wrongly relied upon the judgment in Pradnya Pranjal Kulkarni v. State of Maharashtra. According to the Supreme Court, that decision did not justify staying the filing of a chargesheet under the BNSS.
SIT Ordered by Supreme Court
Taking note of multiple criminal cases registered in different States, the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary to constitute an SIT. The Registrar of Societies will also be a member of the team.
The Court said the SIT would examine how society lands were transferred to third parties without authorization and conduct a fact-finding inquiry into earlier transactions.
“The SIT shall look into all aspects and take a holistic view,” the Bench observed while emphasizing the need for an “unimpaired and unobstructed investigation.”
At the same time, the Court directed that no coercive action be taken against respondent No. 2 until the SIT submits its report and investigation is completed, provided the accused cooperate with the inquiry.
The Supreme Court set aside the Allahabad High Court’s direction restraining the filing of the chargesheet and ordered the Investigating Officer to complete the probe and submit the report under Section 193(3) BNSS in FIR No. 642 of 2025.
The appeal was disposed of with directions for constitution of the SIT and continuation of investigation.
Case Details
Case Title: Shrikant Ojha v. State of UP & Ors.
Case Number: Criminal Appeal arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 3123 of 2026
Judges: Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar
Decision Date: May 12, 2026
