Pune: Poona Parsee Panchayat Alleges Illegal Encroachment on Ancestral Land in Lullanagar
Kondhwa, 29th March 2025: The Poona Parsee Panchayat has raised serious concerns over an alleged illegal encroachment on its ancestral land at Survey No. 603 in Lullanagar. According to the Panchayat, private individuals have unlawfully erected poles and tin sheets in an apparent attempt to stake an unauthorized claim over the property.
Advocate Marazban Irani, Chairman Trustee of the Poona Parsee Panchayat, strongly condemned the encroachment, stating, “This blatant land grab is not just an attack on property but an affront to the legacy of our Zoroastrian forebears, who dedicated these lands for the welfare of our community.”
The Panchayat has filed formal complaints with the Wanowrie Police Station, the Pune Police Commissioner’s office, and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), demanding immediate action against the illegal intrusion.
Details of the Encroachment
The Poona Parsee Panchayat Trust, which is the legal owner and custodian of approximately 8.5 acres of land in Pune, discovered the encroachment on March 24, 2025. Upon inspection, it was found that members of the Lulla family had trespassed and unlawfully occupied nearly half an acre of land on the western side. The trespassers had affixed poles and begun unauthorized activities, including the use of a JCB machine to clear the area, raising fears of illegal construction.
“The actions of the Lulla family are not only illegal but also a blatant violation of property laws and the rights of our Trust,” added Irani. “Despite our efforts to safeguard our community’s heritage, such incidents keep recurring, exploiting our small numbers and the lack of institutional support for our minority community.”
Panchayat Seeks Immediate Legal Action
The Poona Parsee Panchayat is in the process of obtaining a stay order to halt further construction on the land. Police complaints have been lodged with the Pune Police Commissioner’s office and Wanowrie Police Station, along with a formal complaint to the PMC’s Anti-Encroachment Department.
Neville Sheriar Irani, a concerned resident of Lullanagar, expressed distress over the encroachment, stating, “This land has been under the guardianship of the Poona Parsee Panchayat for generations, meant to serve the Zoroastrian community. Unauthorized encroachments like these threaten not only the legal sanctity of the property but also the cultural and historical heritage of our people. The Poona Parsee Panchayat will continue its fight to preserve the land entrusted to it
by our ancestors.”
The Panchayat has urged the authorities to intervene immediately before further damage is done. They remain committed to protecting their ancestral land but stress the need for collective support from the community and well-wishers to prevent further encroachments.
