Pune: A fresh case of alleged illegal sale of government-owned land has surfaced in Pune district, just days after a similar controversy in Mundhwa. This time, the matter concerns 15 acres and 32 gunthas (6.32 hectares) of land belonging to the Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department, located in Tathawade near Wakad.
According to police, the land—officially recorded as government property—was sold using outdated 7/12 extracts and land records. A case has been registered against 26 people, including the sub-registrar who cleared the deed and individuals involved in the sale and purchase.
The complaint was filed by Dr. Amol Sharad Aher, in-charge farm manager at the Government Animal Breeding Centre, Tathawade, at the Dapodi Police Station. Based on his statement, police booked multiple accused, including buyers Kapil Chhotam Fakir, Sayyed Faiyyaz Meer Azimuddin, and Joint Sub-Registrar Vidya Shankar Bade-Sangale.
Police said the fraudulent transaction involving Survey No. 20 in Tathawade came to light during an inspection earlier this month. The accused had allegedly claimed that the land once belonged to Heramb Pandharinath Gupchup, but official 7/12 extracts clearly show that the property is in the possession of the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, and cannot be sold without government approval.
Despite this restriction, the land was reportedly sold for ₹33 crore, with the deed registered on January 9, 2025, at the Sub-Registrar’s Office (Haveli 17) in Dapodi by the Joint Sub-Registrar.
Once the department detected the unauthorised transaction, it immediately filed a complaint with Dapodi Police Station under Pimpri Chinchwad Police, demanding action against all involved in the alleged illegal sale.
