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Illegal construction halted and trust land sealed following administrative intervention
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Hindus warn of intensified agitation if encroachment not removed within 30 days
Miraj, Maharashtra – An attempt to encroach upon open land belonging to the Shri Dnyangiri Swami Maharaj Trust, located at Plot No. 57 on Shivaji Road, has been stopped following intervention by authorities.
It is stated that Altaf Ghulam Hussain Maner had begun unauthorised construction on the land. After a legal challenge by devout Hindu activists and trust representatives, the administration intervened and halted the construction.
The Charity Commissioner’s office in Kolhapur has sealed the land and ordered removal of the construction within 30 days.
Conspiracy to seize the land in violation of the conditions of the gift deed
The land was originally granted to the trust in 1934 by late Daulatrao Kharat through a ‘bakshis patra’ (gift deed), which clearly stated that the land must be used only for the trust’s intended purpose.
Despite this, it is alleged that certain trustees attempted to lease the land to Altaf Maner. He along with others, including Ananda Devmane, Ramesh Karande, Mahadev Kurane, Baban Satpute, and Vishal Satpute, attempted to take control of the land.
Administrative action and victory of devout Hindu activists
The Assistant Charity Commissioner, Kolhapur, had earlier issued an interim order prohibiting any construction on the land. However, construction reportedly continued in violation of the order.
Following a complaint by trustee Shri. Anil Satpute and devotee Shri. Shivprasad Satpute, officials including Inspector Ragini Khadke from the Charity Commissioner’s office, along with representatives from the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation and police, visited the site on 13 May and halted the construction.
Shri Shivpratishthan Hindusthan founder P. Sambhajirao Bhide Guruji informed this matter to the Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil, who directed the administration to take necessary action. Subsequently, the police and administration halted the illegal construction.
Strong wave of anger among Hindus
The incident has led to strong reactions among sections of the Hindu community, various organisations, members of the Charmakar community, and devotees of Shri Dnyangiri Maharaj.
It has been stated that if the encroachment is not removed within 30 days, a strong agitation will be launched. Concerns have also been raised regarding the role of certain trustees and officials, with demands for strict administrative and legal action against them.
There have also been calls for stronger measures to protect the properties of religious trusts and prevent such incidents in the future.