Pune land scam: Bombay high court pulls up Maharashtra government

Criticising the Maharashtra government for its slow probe in the land grab scam in Pune, the Bombay high court today directed it to lodge FIRs in 18 cases where bogus orders were used under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act (ULCA).

A division bench of Justice BH Marlapalle and Justice UD Salvi directed the additional collector and competent authorities to register FIRs within one week and submit a report by January 31. The principal secretary of the urban development department has also been directed to file affidavit by then.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari alleging that bogus documents were used and orders passed under the ULCA.

The scam was unearthed in 2005 when the deputy collector's office in Pune received a forged and fabricated certificate under the act, declaring a plot near Pune as non-surplus.

According to the PIL, Yogesh Mhase, former officer on special duty to the then deputy chief minister RR Patil, was also involved in the scam.

Of the 29 files shortlisted, FIRs have been filed in 11 cases. The government today told the court that it would require six weeks time to scrutinise the remaining 18 files.

The court, however, refused to grant time.