Investigations carried out in Tuljapur Devasthan scam are unsatisfactory : HC

Issue of land and donation box scam of Tuljapur Devasthan Samiti during Congress regime ! 

Information given by ‘Shri Tuljapur Devasthan Sanrakshak Kruti Samiti (TDSKS)’ during press conference held at Dharashiv ! 

Dharashiv – Investigation work conducted by investigating agencies into Tuljapur Devasthan Samiti’s land and donation box scam is not satisfactory. Secretaries of Home, Revenue and Law Departments, so also District Collector of Dharashiv should submit a report within 8 weeks on what action has been taken by them, ordered High Court while strictly admonishing the investigating agencies. The above information was given by Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, Maharashtra State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) in press conference held on 9th August at Dharashiv. 

Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, national President of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP); Mahant Mavajinath Maharaj; Shri. Arjun Salunkhe, Founder-President of Shivabaraje Pratishthan and Shri. Rajan Bunage, Solapur District-Coordinator of HJS shared the dais with him.   

A PIL has been filed with Sambhajinagar Bench of Mumbai High Court last year against Tuljapur Devasthan scams as a result of legal fight jointly given by HJS and HVP. Advocate Suresh Kulkarni, the founder-member of HVP and advocate Umesh Bhadgaonkar a member of HVP are pleading the case in Court. The expanse of this scam is quite huge but investigations are not conducted in satisfactory manner, informed advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, who has exposed this scam. Information was also given on setting up of TDSKS and the legal fight to be given by it. 

What is Tuljapur Devasthan scam ? 

1. It was brought forth in the year 2008 that there were illegal changes carried out in the papers related to 265 acres of land owned by Tuljapur Devasthan Samiti (TDS). Two Government officers were suspended in this connection. The then Chief Minister had issued order to conduct inquiry into the land scam; but no action was taken for 7 years and the report was suppressed without any inquiry.

2. It was exposed in investigations conducted by the State Crime Investigation Department that there were malpractices running in millions of rupees in auction of donation boxes of TDS. During 1991 to 2009, there was a huge difference in the amount of auction and actual donations given by devotees. Shri. Kishore Gangane, the President of ‘Pujari Mandal’ of Tuljapur lodged a complaint about the same with Joint Charity Commissioner in 2010 and he had issued orders to conduct inquiry into the malpractices in donation boxes through a senior police officer; but nothing was being done despite availability of all proofs. The matter was then transferred to State CID. There are 23 District Collectors involved in the scam.

Open appeal

If any citizen is aware of scams of TDS or has any other relevant information, it can be conveyed to Shri. Sunil Ghanavat on 9404956534, was the appeal made during the press conference.   

 

Setting up of Shri Tuljabhavani Devasthan Sanrakshak Kruti Samiti (TDSKS) !

On 8th August, a meeting of pro-Hindu organizations was held in Mahant Mavajinath Maharaj’s mutt and an action committee was set up to fight against scams of TDS. In this meeting, Shri. Sunil Ghanavat was appointed as the spokesperson of this action committee and advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar was appointed as its legal advisor. The other members of the action committee are Mahant Ichhagiri Maharaj and Shri. Hiralal Tiwari, a Sanatan seeker. This action committee is presently concentrating on and will give legal fight wherever necessary on various issues related to maintaining sanctity of the temple; security of temple; eradication of corruption; protection of religious traditions and facilities to be given to devotees. It has also demanded that the State Government should not wait for Court’s orders but take action on its own and expose all those who have misappropriated money of this Devasthan. Mahant Mavajinath Maharaj warned that Devi’s devotees would not keep quiet till action was not taken against the persons involved in malpractices. Shri. Arjun Salunkhe, founder-President of Shivabaraje Pratishthan and Shri. Rajan Bunage were present on the occasion. Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar explained issues related to legal action. 

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat