424 Pune district land mutation cases show serious irregularities, says Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule

PUNE: The state govt has found serious irregularities in 424 land mutation cases in Pune district involving the alleged misuse of Section 155 of Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday announced strict action, including suspension and criminal proceedings, against errant officials.

In his statement in the legislative council, Bawankule said the state govt took serious note of illegal orders passed by misusing Section 155 of the revenue law and appointed a committee led by Nashik divisional commissioner Praveen Gedam to probe those issued in Pune district since 2020.

The committee conducted a preliminary scrutiny of 38,027 cases. Of these, documents were available in 2,337 cases, and a detailed examination revealed that 424 cases involved illegal orders passed by adopting improper administrative and legal procedures.

Based on the severity of irregularities, these 424 cases have been classified into A, B and C. Category A includes 13 extremely serious cases, in which suspension and criminal action against the guilty officers and employees will be decided after a legal opinion.

The committee has recommended the immediate suspension of officials involved in more than 30 irregular cases, and action is being proposed, officials from the state revenue department added.

Bawankule said, “Govt will conduct suo motu reviews of illegal cases through senior officers. Original property records will be restored within the next six months. Officials responsible for serious irregularities under Category B will be transferred out of Pune division to non-executive posts.”

The minister said the state will launch a similar investigation across the state. Committees modelled on the Nashik panel will be set up in other divisions to examine misuse of Section 155 and provisions.

These panels will submit their reports within six months, forming the basis for a state-level assessment. Govt will introduce a bill to amend the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code in the upcoming monsoon session to prevent future misuse of Section 155, the minister said. These amendments will strengthen land mutation processes and bring greater transparency and accountability in revenue administration.

The priority will be to ensure justice for citizens affected by illegal land mutation orders while fixing responsibility on officials involved in irregularities and streamlining land administration system.