Pune Activist Demands State Probe into Alleged Illegal Koregaon Park Land Deal
Prominent Pune civic activist Vijay Kumbhar has formally written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding an immediate and thorough inquiry into a controversial land transaction in the city's upscale Koregaon Park area. Kumbhar has raised serious allegations that the deal involved illegal acquisition of a prime plot originally belonging to a public trust.
Allegations of Illegal Acquisition and Black Money
In his detailed letter to the chief minister, Kumbhar specifically named Prakash Pophale, the chartered accountant for arrested astrologer Ashok Kharat, as the individual who allegedly acquired the property through unlawful means. The activist expressed strong suspicion that Kharat may have utilized unaccounted "black money" to secure the substantial 50,000-square-foot property located at Lane 3, Plot 57 in Koregaon Park, where 18 row houses currently stand.
"The plot rightfully belongs to the RF Mulla Trust," Kumbhar told media outlets. "Pophale acquired it in 2024 through clearly illegal means. I have formally requested the state government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into every aspect of this transaction."
Bypassing Mandatory Approval Processes
The civic activist emphasized that the deal appears to have completely bypassed the mandatory approval process required for trust-owned land. "Since this is public trust property, it cannot be legally sold without prior permission from the charity commissioner," Kumbhar stated unequivocally. "No such permission was ever sought or obtained for this transaction, which makes the entire deal fundamentally illegal."
Kumbhar further alleged that the parties involved employed an "assignment deed" as a mechanism to circumvent standard ownership restrictions. He explained that while such a deed grants Pophale the right to use the property without technical ownership, even this type of agreement involving trust land legally requires explicit permission from the charity commissioner—permission that was never acquired.
Call for Comprehensive Investigation
The activist's letter urgently calls upon the state government to:
- Investigate the complete source of funds used in the transaction
- Determine whether any government officials facilitated the allegedly illegal deal
- Examine all documentation related to the property transfer
- Take appropriate legal action against those found responsible
When contacted by media for comment regarding these serious allegations, Prakash Pophale did not respond to repeated calls or messages. The silence from the accused party has only intensified calls for transparency and accountability in this matter.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about land governance and trust property management in Maharashtra, particularly in prime urban areas like Koregaon Park where property values are exceptionally high. The activist's intervention underscores the critical need for stricter oversight of trust land transactions and more robust mechanisms to prevent illegal acquisitions.
