Pune: Maharashtra state charity commissioner Amogh Kaloti on Thursday passed an order on Thursday revoking the April 4, 2025, sanction to redevelop a 3.5-acre property owned by Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust in Model Colony. The order allowed the trustees and Gokhale Landmarks LLP to initiate the cancellation of the sale deed and the power of attorney. Kaloti also directed the trust to refund Rs 230 crore to the developer once the sale deed is cancelled. The deal landed in controversy after the Jain community objected to the trust’s decision, leading to two weeks of protests. A hostel and a Jain temple/prayer hall stand on the premises.Amidst the call from Jain religious leader Acharya Guptinandi Maharaj to go on an indefinite hunger strike from Nov 1 if the agreement was not scrapped, both the trust and developer informed the charity commissioner of their intentions to withdraw from the deal.Based on their affidavits, Kaloti issued the order, allowing them to initiate the procedure for the cancellation of the sale deed. “In exercise of power under section 36 (2) of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, the sanctioned order dated April 4, 2025, is hereby revoked,” the order said.The charity commissioner told the trust and the developer to take steps to cancel the sale deed and the power of attorney at the earliest. The trust was directed to refund the entire amount of sale consideration to the developer, which is approximately Rs 230 crore.Members of the Jain community who kept up their protests expressed their satisfaction. Akshay Jain, a former student and a protester, told TOI, “This is a victory not only for the Jain community but also for the people of Pune who supported us. It will be considered a landmark order that will help people in safeguarding public trusts’ land. It was a difficult fight, but we are happy that justice has prevailed and we could save the trust’s property.“The opposition, including former MP Raju Shetti and MVA members, along with Shiv Sena Pune unit chief Ravindra Dhangekar had alleged that Union minister of state for civil aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol was involved in the deal as he and the developer Vishal Gokhale were business partners. Earlier this week, Mohol met Acharya Guptinandi Maharaj at the trust’s hostel.Following the order, the religious leader said, “It is a victory for the unity of the entire society. Whatever happened is now in the past, and we all should move forward. The trust should now ensure that they return the money to the developer. I also appeal to the state govt and the trust to improve the condition of the hostel.” Gokhale, chairman and managing director of Gokhale Constructions and partner in Gokhale Landmarks LLP, said that the legal process to cancel the sale deed will soon be initiated. He added, “Respecting the sentiments of the Jain community, I decided on my own to withdraw from this project. The trustees also responded positively to this decision.”
