Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh's persistent follow-up yields success
Mumbai - The Maharashtra Government will now investigate the alleged illegal transfer and sale of more than 4,121 acres of Inam land belonging to Shri Tuljabhavani Devi, the Kuldevi (family Deity) of millions of Hindu devotees, in Tuljapur.
Taking serious note of the detailed memorandum submitted by Mr Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed the District Collector of Dharashiv to immediately constitute an inquiry committee and submit a report.
The erstwhile Nizam's administration had granted 1,666.14 hectares (approximately 4,121.14 acres) of Inam land to Shri Tuljabhavani Devi. Under the law, this land cannot be bought or sold, and the provisions of the Tenancy Act are also not applicable to it. Despite this, it has been alleged that thousands of acres were illegally usurped through the collusion of revenue officials and other individuals.
Although official records show that 3,397 acres of land are registered in the name of the Shri Tuljabhavani Devi Sansthan, actual possession reportedly remains with private individuals connected to four Mathas (monasteries). In addition, 403 acres belonging to the Jagdamba Trust were allegedly transferred directly into the names of private individuals without the knowledge of the principal trust.
In violation of the law, part of 63.03 acres of land was allegedly sold illegally by falsely classifying it as "protected tenancy" land. In another instance, a senior revenue clerk allegedly abused his authority by recording 261 acres in the names of 73 private individuals in the 7/12 land records. Furthermore, 158 acres of land in the villages of Apsinga and Uphala were allegedly usurped through fraudulent mutation entries.
"Criminal cases must be registered immediately against all those involved in this case!" - Mr Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh
The Mahasangh has demanded the immediate registration of criminal cases against the then Deputy District Collectors, trustees and other influential persons allegedly involved in the illegal transfer of the temple land. It has also demanded that the Government exercise its special statutory powers to immediately cancel all illegal sale deeds and fraudulent entries in the 7/12 land records, and restore the entire 1,666.14 hectares of land to the direct control of Shri Tuljabhavani Devi Temple.