Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule revealed in the state’s Legislative Assembly that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam, will investigate alleged irregularities in land acquisition for National Highways and other projects in Jalgaon district. The SIT, comprising two IAS officers and one IPS officer, aims to delve into potential criminal aspects of the case, as emphasized by the Minister during discussions initiated by MLA Mangesh Chavan.
The investigation will encompass various government entities, including the Revenue Department, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Stamp Duty Department, Land Acquisition Office, Land Records (Bhumi Abhilekh), and Local Talathi offices. Minister Bawankule stressed the importance of scrutinizing the entire process from initial entries to final compensation awards across nine villages to identify discrepancies. Despite the timely halt in compensation distribution, the inquiry will focus on potential fraudulent activities and alterations in project maps that could have favored specific individuals.
MLA Mangesh Chavan and other legislators raised concerns about a suspected intricate network of corruption. Chavan highlighted instances where individuals attempted to claim excessive compensation by falsely cultivating orchards on lands registered under governmental authorities. He called for stringent actions, including suspensions and criminal charges against implicated officials, to address the alleged misconduct effectively.
