New CJI Gavai's First Decision: Major Setback for Narayan Rane, Calls Land Transfer a Clear Misuse of Power

In his first verdict as Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Gavai declared the transfer of 30 acres of forest land in Pune’s Kondhwa area to a private housing society as illegal. The land transfer, linked to BJP leader and former Maharashtra CM Narayan Rane's family, was termed a "clear example of misuse of power" by the Supreme Court. The decision could have significant political implications in Maharashtra.

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gawai delivered his first important decision after taking office, which proved to be a major setback for former Union Minister Narayan Rane. The Supreme Court quashed a decision taken during the Shiv Sena-BJP rule in 1998 to transfer 30 acres of forest land in Pune to a private builder. The court has directed the land to be handed back to the Forest Department.
The court has described the case as a clear example of abuse of power under political and administrative nexus. This decision can have significant ramifications across the country, as the court has directed all states and union territories to investigate suspicious land transfers and complete the action within a year.

The case relates to 30 acres of land located in Kondhwa area of Pune. In the year 1998, the department of Narayan Rane, who was the Revenue Minister in the Maharashtra government at that time, allotted this land to a person Chavan, who falsely claimed it as agricultural land. Chavan sold this land to 'Richie Rich Cooperative Housing Society' for Rs 2 crore within a few days. After this transaction, administrative officials like Pune Divisional Commissioner Rajiv Agarwal, Collector Vijay Mathankar and Deputy Forest Officer Ashok Khadse declared it as “non-agricultural”.

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Richie Rich Society has proposed a huge residential project, which includes 1,550 flats, 3 clubhouses, 30 row houses and 1 shopping complex. The project is being developed as a joint venture between Anirudh Deshpande (Citi Group), Anil Shewalekar (Oxford Properties) and Raheja Builders.

Environmental conservation group ‘Sajha Chetna Manch’ filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2002, which resulted in the court forming a Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The committee inspected the site and submitted a detailed report, recommending strict action against Rane and other officials. However, legal action was taken only against Ashok Khadse. Currently, no development work could take place on the land due to the ongoing legal dispute.