NASHIK: In a significant development, police in Nashik have registered a cheating case against 37 individuals, including builders, developers, and architects, for the alleged unlawful appropriation of approximately six acres of land. The land in question reportedly belongs to the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association (NDTA) Pvt Ltd and is valued at an estimated Rs 300 crore.
DCP Kirankumar Chavan reported that an investigation by a city survey officer uncovered a sophisticated scheme where certain developers, in collaboration with members of the Nashik Diocesan Council (NDC), allegedly deceived government officials. They falsely claimed ownership of the roughly six-acre plot, leading to the fraudulent finalization of land transactions across various government departments, including revenue, home, town planning, and law and judiciary.
Authorities state that the accused have been illegally leasing and selling this six-acre property since 1990, despite lacking proper ownership rights. A portion of the land, specifically three acres, is currently under lease and houses the offices of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) and the city traffic branch.
The origins of the disputed land ownership trace back to the establishment of the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association (NDTA) Pvt Ltd in 1943, under the Company Act of 1913. Following India’s independence, the Bombay Public Trusts Act of 1950 was enacted. Subsequently, in 1954, some directors and members of the NDTA registered a charity trust named the Nashik Diocesan Council (NDC), bearing a similar name to the original association. This similarity in names may have played a role in the alleged deception.
This case highlights the persistent issue of land fraud in India, where disputes over property ownership can be complex and involve multiple parties. Such incidents often underscore the need for thorough due diligence in property transactions and robust regulatory oversight to protect genuine landowners and prevent illicit dealings.
