The investigation into a major alleged land grabbing case in a remote village of Maharashtra's Satara district has reached its conclusion. The inquiry focused on the purchase of nearly an entire village, raising serious legal questions.
Probe Concludes, Report Awaited by State Government
The detailed inquiry into the controversial acquisition of land at Jhadani village, situated about 40 kilometres from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar, has been completed. The final report, compiled after multiple hearings, is now expected to be submitted to the Maharashtra state government shortly for further action.
Allegations of Buying an Entire Village
The case came to light following a complaint by Satara-based activist Sushant More. He alleged that a senior GST commissioner based in Ahmedabad, along with his relatives and friends, had purchased almost the whole of Jhadani village. The total land in question amounts to a staggering 640 acres.
Acting on the complaint, the then Revenue Minister of Maharashtra, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, directed the local administration to conduct a thorough probe into the matter.
Key Findings and Legal Hurdles
The investigation was carried out by Additional District Collector Mallikarjun Mane, who held several hearings. The final hearing took place on a Monday and was attended by the accused GST official, his relatives, and the complainant, Sushant More.
Preliminary findings from the probe indicate a clear violation of the Maharashtra Agricultural Lands (Ceiling on Holdings) Act of 1961. The law sets a limit on how much agricultural land an individual or a group can hold. The inquiry found that the 13 buyers collectively acquired land far exceeding the permissible limit.
During the proceedings, the accused parties attempted to shift the case's jurisdiction. They applied to transfer the matter to the state government, arguing that since the land ownership issues spanned multiple districts, it was beyond the purview of local authorities. The state government subsequently appointed ADC Mane to lead the investigation, ensuring it proceeded under a unified command.
With the fact-finding phase now over, all eyes are on the state government's next steps. The submission of the final report will determine whether formal legal proceedings are initiated against the 13 individuals named in the case.
