Surat Police File Case Against 12 in Temple Land Encroachment Dispute
In a significant development in Surat, the Dindoli police have officially registered a criminal case against twelve individuals, including five women, for their alleged involvement in trespassing and demolishing the compound wall of the Sahajanand Mahadev Charitable Trust. The incident, which occurred on the morning of February 14, is reported to be part of a deliberate attempt to illegally seize trust-owned land designated for religious purposes.
Alleged Land Grab Attempt with Buddha Idol Placement
According to the detailed complaint filed by Hitesh Vishwakarma, the 40-year-old administrator of the trust, the accused strategically placed a Buddha idol near the proposed temple construction site as a tactic to lay claim to the plot. This action was taken without any prior authorization from the trust authorities, raising immediate suspicions of an encroachment plot.
Vishwakarma explained that the trust had been legally allotted two open plots by the society's landowner, Jayesh Patel, specifically for the construction of a temple and a gaushala (cow shelter). To facilitate these activities, Patel had formally granted power of attorney to Vishwakarma, empowering him to manage the trust land and oversee all temple-related developments. Construction work for the temple has been actively progressing since the year 2023.
Escalation of the Conflict and Police Intervention
The situation escalated when Vishwakarma, suspecting a malicious land grab attempt, approached the collector's office in October 2025 to seek official intervention. He also directly requested Anil Sonawane, a society member identified as one of the primary accused, to remove the unauthorized Buddha idol. However, Sonawane allegedly refused to comply with this demand.
In response, Vishwakarma took matters into his own hands by removing the idol and securely placing it at his personal residence to prevent further unauthorized claims on the property.
Violent Demolition and Police Action
The conflict reached a critical point on the morning of February 14, when Vishwakarma was informed that a group had forcibly entered the temple premises after demolishing the compound wall. Upon arriving at the site, he discovered Anil Sonawane, along with his brother Dhiraj, their mother Sunanda, and several other relatives and associates inside the compound.
The accused were allegedly armed with dangerous tools such as hammers and spades, indicating a premeditated and violent approach to the trespass. Police were immediately alerted to the scene, leading to the registration of a formal case against all twelve individuals involved.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The Dindoli police have booked the accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of criminal trespass, unlawful assembly, and intentional damage to property. This legal action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the alleged attempt to encroach upon land earmarked for charitable and religious activities.
The investigation is currently ongoing, with police officials working to gather further evidence and statements from all parties involved. The case highlights the growing tensions over land disputes in urban areas and the measures being taken to protect legally allotted properties from illegal occupation attempts.
