Maharashtra To Hold Comprehensive Review Of Christian Missionary Land Records
The issue was raised by BJP MLA Devayani Pharande who demanded to resolve the long-pending dispute involving the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association Limited, which has affected around 5,000 families in Nashik.
Mumbai: In a major decision, Maharashtra Government on Wednesday announced a ‘comprehensive’ probe into all land parcels currently held by Christian missionary institutions across the state. A detailed review of their ownership rights, records and subsequent transactions will be undertaken within three months, said State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
“A comprehensive probe would be conducted into the lands held by missionary institutions and transferred under suspicious circumstances post-Independence. The government would examine whether land transactions that allegedly deviated from their original public purpose could be legally reviewed and whether such land could be restored to government ownership,” Bawankule said in Vidhan Sabha during the monsoon session of the State Legislature.
The issue was raised by BJP MLA Devayani Pharande who demanded to resolve the long-pending dispute involving the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association Limited, which has affected around 5,000 families in Nashik. “The land was handed over to the British to churches after independence in a suspicious manner. The Church Missionary Trust Association Limited, London and Nashik Diocesan Trust Association entered an agreement on August 12, 1949. Besides the land, Christian schools, colleges and hospitals were transferred by the British. However, after the death of trustees the properties were handed over to a private individual using fake documents. Later the private company is being exploited for presenting a ‘No Objection Certificate’ for sale of the church land. The original documents prior to 1932 are missing from the District Collector’s office,” she alleged.
Replying to her, Bawankule said, “The government will establish a high-level committee, chaired by the respective Divisional Commissioners, to oversee the audit. This committee will include senior officials from the Settlement Commissioner's office, the Police Department, and the Inspector General of Registration (IGR). The objective is to ensure transparency and verify the legality of land titles.”
The minister further noted that if any private land transactions are found to be suspicious or in violation of prevailing land-holding norms, the government will initiate formal proceedings to reclaim such properties.