Maharashtra Orders Statewide Audit of Church and Christian Institutional Land

“The objective is to identify illegal encroachments, disputed land titles and irregularities in ownership,” Bawankule told the House, adding that the exercise forms part of the government’s wider push to bring order to land records across the state. The minister clarified that institutions holding valid documents have nothing to worry about. “Those with legally valid land titles and transfers need not worry. But where there are violations of norms or illegalities, the government will review the cases and take appropriate action,” he said.

Bawankule said the review would stretch back to land acquired by missionary organisations during British rule and extend to properties transferred after Independence, to check whether any laws were breached along the way. Verification will be handled by a committee under each divisional commissioner, with representation from the Settlement Commissioner’s office, the police and the Inspector General of Registration.

Where land has already turned into residential colonies or been used for public infrastructure, the minister said, the government would first take legal opinion before deciding how to proceed.

Nashik Land Fraud Triggered the Decision

The announcement followed a calling attention motion raised by BJP MLA Devayani Pharande over a long-pending land dispute involving the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association Limited (NDTA). Pharande’s grievance centred on land the British government had once set aside for Christian-run schools, colleges and hospitals; she claimed that after the original trustees passed away, records were tampered with to move this land into private hands.