Outcome of the representation submitted by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh regarding thousands of acres of land belonging to Shri Tulja Bhavanidevi Temple

• Dharashiv District Collector Constitutes Three-Member Committee to Probe Scam Involving Thousands of Acres of Temple Land

• Ordered to submit its report within 15 days

Dharashiv, Maharashtra – Following a representation submitted by Shri Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Temple Federation, highlighting the alleged scam involving thousands of acres of land belonging to Shri Tulja Bhavanidevi Temple, the Dharashiv District Collector has constituted a three-member inquiry committee. Shri Ghanwat had submitted a memorandum to Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule seeking a thorough investigation into the matter and the immediate restoration of all the temple land to the temple’s possession.

Accordingly, Dharashiv District Collector Shri Kirti Pujar has constituted a three-member committee comprising Additional District Collector Smt. Jyoti Patil as Chairperson, Sub-Divisional Officer Omkar Deshmukh as Member-Secretary, and Government Pleader Mahendra Deshmukh as Member. The District Collector has directed the committee to verify all records relating to the representation submitted on 25 June, conduct a detailed inquiry, and submit its report within 15 days.

The District Collector’s order also states that Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had directed an inquiry into the matter on 29 June. The committee will thoroughly examine the revenue records and legal aspects before submitting its report to the District Collector.

What is the case ?

The then Nizam Government had granted 1,666.14 hectares (approximately 4,121.14 acres) of land to Shri Tulja Bhavanidevi Temple as an inam (land grant). Under the law, this land cannot be bought or sold, and the Kul tenancy law is also not applicable to it. Despite this, it is alleged that thousands of acres of the temple’s land were illegally usurped through the connivance of revenue officials and other individuals.

Taking serious note of the detailed representation submitted by Shri Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Temple Federation, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule directed the Dharashiv District Collector to immediately appoint an inquiry committee and submit a report. Accordingly, the committee has now been constituted.