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Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’s efforts save ₹50 crore temple land in Amravati

Amravati SDO revokes illegal transfer of Someshwar Sansthan property, foiling builder lobby’s sinister motives

Representatives of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh and Shri Someshwar Mahadev Sansthan brief the media in Amravati

Amravati, Maharashtra – The illegal order dated 26 September 2024, issued by the then Amravati Tehsildar Vijay Lokhande—which sought to transfer 12 acres (4.85 hectares) of prime agricultural land belonging to the Shri Someshwar Mahadev Sansthan in the Bhajibazar area, valued at approximately ₹50 crore at market rates, to occupant Suman Ramratan Kothar for a paltry sum of ₹960 under the ‘Tenancy Act’—has been completely quashed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Amravati.

This crucial information was shared by Anup Jaiswal, State Core Committee Member of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, during a press conference held here. 

The press conference was attended by Shrikant Pisolkar (Vidarbha Coordinator, Mandir Mahasangh), Ashok Sonwal (Secretary, Savanga Vithoba Sansthan), Sachin Vaidya (District Coordinator), Haribhau Nanwatkar (Trustee, Shri Ram Mandir), Manoj Wankhade and Suraj Wankhade (Shri Vishnu Sansthan), Dr Chandrashekhar Giri, alongside Amol Ingole, Ravindra Dahake, and other dignitaries representing the Someshwar Sansthan Trust. 

During the original hearing, the Tehsildar neither recorded any evidence or statements nor allowed cross-examination, and hastily issued a Sale Certificate while the period to file an appeal was still pending. Furthermore, no prior permission was sought from the Charity Commissioner. When this serious matter came to the attention of Anup Jaiswal, a state office bearer of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, he strongly opposed the sale order. Subsequently, Trustees Ravindra Dahake, Amol Ingole, and others filed an appeal before the Sub-Divisional Officer.

Since this agricultural land falls within the jurisdiction of the Amravati Municipal Corporation, the provisions of the Tenancy Act do not apply to it. During the hearing in the Court of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh presented a copy of the ‘Exemption Certificate’ issued to the Sansthan on 21 August 1969. Since Shri Someshwar Sansthan is a duly registered body under the Mumbai Public Trust Act and possesses a valid exemption from the Tenancy Act, the SDO accepted the Sansthan’s appeal and definitively revoked the Tehsildar’s illegal order on July 8, 2026. In this matter, Advocate Raman Jaiswal represented the Sansthan, while Advocate Rishi Chhabra represented the occupant, Suman Ramratan Kothar.

Builder lobby’s sinister motives foiled

Because this valuable agricultural land lies within the municipal corporation limits and commands a market value of around ₹50 crore, the builder lobby concerned was seen actively manipulating administrative strings during the hearings. However, Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, consistently pursued the case at the state level and exerted moral pressure on the administration, thereby succeeding in foiling the builder lobby’s sinister motives. Anup Jaiswal, alongside Sansthan Trustees Ravindra Dahake and Amol Ingole, played a pivotal role in securing this decision.

Commenting on the verdict, Shri Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, stated: “This verdict is a fitting response to the greedy builder lobby eyeing temple lands and the corrupt officials aiding them. We will not allow even an inch of temple land to be usurped.”

This landmark decision has brought immense joy to the local community, with widespread appreciation pouring in for the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for temples and devotees.

Rs 50 crore worth land of Shri Someshwar Sansthan in Amravati sold for just Rs 960 

October 5, 2024

Immediately arrest all culprits, including Tehsildars, encroaching on Temple lands! – Demands the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh

A highly alarming case has surfaced in which land belonging to Shri Someshwar Mahadev Sansthan in Amravati, valued at Rs 50 crore, was sold for a mere Rs 960 by an illegal order of the Tehsildar. The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh has expressed strong condemnation of this incident. The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh is calling for an immediate investigation and the arrest of the Tehsildar and all involved in this unlawful act.

Case Summary : The case involves Mauja-Peth Amravati, a religious institution managed by Shri Someshwar Mahadev Sansthan in Amravati District. The land in question is agricultural land, specifically Farm Survey No. 94, covering an area of 4 hectares and 85 Ares (R). To illegally acquire this valuable agricultural land, an individual named Suman Kothar submitted an application to the Tehsildar of Amravati for its purchase. In a significant violation of the provisions of the Clan Act, Tehsildar Vijay Sukhdev Lokhande issued an illegal order on September 26th, 2024, allowing the land, valued at Rs 50 crore, to be sold for a mere Rs 960. Alarmingly, the purchase was registered the very next day, September 27th, 2024, even before the appeal period had expired. This situation has prompted the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh to demand immediate action against the Tehsildar and all individuals involved in this fraudulent transaction.

Tehsildar Vijay Sukhdev Lokhande is accused of attempting to illegally transfer the agricultural land belonging to Shri Someshwar Sansthan by engaging in various irregularities related to the land case. This action has resulted in significant deceit against the Sansthan and its devotees. The allegations state that Tehsildar Vijay Lokhande misused his position as Tehsildar to proceed unlawfully, blatantly violating tenancy laws and government circulars. Additionally, there are concerns about the involvement of a local builder lobby, which is perceived to be actively working to usurp the Sansthan’s land. In response to these developments, the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh has called for stringent legal action against Tehsildar Lokhande, invoking service discipline and other applicable laws. Shri Anup Jaiswal, a State Core Committee Officer of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, along with District Convener Shri. Kailash Panpaliya, has submitted a formal complaint to the Divisional Commissioner, Collector, and Sub-Divisional Officer in Amravati. The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh has warned that if no action is taken against Tehsildar Vijay Lokhande and the other involved parties, they will resort to public protests to demand justice.

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