Pune: Charity Commissioner Office Conducts Inspection of Jain Temple Amid Rs 70 Crore Mortgage Controversy

Model Colony, 24th October 2025: A major controversy has erupted in Pune’s Model Colony after reports emerged that land and a temple located near the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Jain Digambar Boarding were mortgaged in a loan transaction worth ₹70 crore. The move has triggered outrage in the Jain community and among local residents.

On Friday, officials from the Charity Commissioner’s office arrived at the site to conduct measurements to verify the existence and dimensions of the temple. Trustees of the boarding institution were present as per official orders. The inspection led to confusion and heated questioning from local citizens. During the process, one of the petitioners reportedly produced a 90-year-old idol, which confirmed the long-standing existence of the temple.

₹70-Crore Mortgage Without Legal Clearance
According to information available, on October 8, 2025, Bireshwar Credit Society in Karnataka approved a loan of ₹50 crore, while Buldhana Urban Cooperative Bank sanctioned ₹20 crore against the mortgaged property. The transaction was allegedly carried out without proper verification or legal process, raising serious concerns over procedural violations.

Legal Action and Charity Commissioner’s Intervention
Following public outrage, Adv. Yogesh Pande filed a legal objection challenging the mortgage. The Charity Commissioner took up the matter urgently and ordered that the status quo be maintained on the property until further hearing. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for October 28, 2025.

Meanwhile, a student who highlighted the issue on social media has reportedly received threats from Karnataka Police, further deepening the controversy.

Public Protest and Community Anger
The Jain community in Pune has strongly condemned the alleged illegal transaction. A mass protest and march were organized demanding accountability from the trustees accused of selling the land unlawfully. Several community leaders have called the incident an attack on religious trust property and urged state authorities to intervene.