Nashik: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday that the state government will soon establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of one IPS and two IAS officers to investigate allegations against 197 developers in Nashik. These developers reportedly evaded the mandatory 20% reservation for economically weaker sections by unlawfully splitting large landholdings into smaller plots.
Bawankule revealed that numerous builders, developers, and government officials are suspected of colluding to illegally divide large land parcels to keep the total development area below 4,000 sqm, thereby circumventing the EWS reservation requirement. “Upon reviewing the case’s gravity, it seems evident that there was collusion among builders, developers, and government officials to manipulate land records. The SIT will be deployed soon, and all involved parties will be held accountable,” he stated.
An FIR was lodged at Sarkarwada police station on March 7 against 104 landlords and 93 builders and developers for allegedly committing fraud, fabricating documents, and forgery.
According to EWS regulations, housing reserved through these projects should be allocated to the lower-income group (LIG) via the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). Bawankule noted that “the irregularities started within the land records department and later implicated officials from Mhada and Nashik Municipal Corporation. Investigations indicated that land parcels were split in a single day, with document updates and layout maps generated within hours.”
The discrepancies were identified by a committee led by Nashik’s additional collector, which led to a formal complaint being filed.
Bawankule also mentioned that “should the SIT’s findings necessitate further action, the state might refer the case to the Enforcement Directorate to pursue stringent penalties for all involved, including officials and political figures, regardless of their political affiliations.”
Bawankule: We aim for unopposed elections in Baramati
On a separate note, Bawankule expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with Congress leaders again to facilitate unopposed elections in Baramati. “The late Ajit Pawar maintained good relations with all political parties. Following his unfortunate passing, we have a collective duty to support Sunetra Pawar in her candidacy for the bypolls in Baramati,” he remarked, emphasizing that he had already reached out to Congress politicians Nana Patole and Vijay Wadettiwar, urging them to reconsider participating in the election.
