Pune HND Jain Boarding Land Case: Charity Commissioner Cancels Sale, Orders Property to Return to Trust
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 30th October 2025: In a landmark decision, Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner Amogh Kaloti on Thursday revoked the controversial land sale sanction of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Memorial Trust (HND Jain Boarding), ordering the property to be restored to the trust. The ruling cancels the April 4, 2025, approval granted for the sale and invalidates both the sale deed and the power of attorney executed in favour of developer firm Gokhale Landmarks LLP.
According to the official order, the transaction between the trust and the developer has been completely nullified. The trust has been directed to return the sale proceeds, excluding the deducted TDS amount, and the property must be re-registered in the trust’s name.
Legal Battle That Shook the Community
The case, which has been fought over the past five months, centered around the alleged irregularities in selling the historic land originally established for Jain students and the community. The sale was challenged by several members of the Jain community, including Akshay Jain, Anand Kankaria, Swapnil Gangwal, and Mahavir Chougule, who gathered documentary evidence to expose the alleged misuse.
Under the guidance of Acharya Gurudev Guptinandi Ji Maharaj, a legal team led by Adv. Yogesh Pande, Anna Patil, Chandrakant Patil, and Sukoushal Jinturkar played a pivotal role in representing the community and ensuring due legal process was followed through the hearings.
Key Directives in the Commissioner’s Order
The sale approval granted on April 4, 2025, is cancelled.
The sale deed and power of attorney dated October 8, 2025, stand annulled.
The trust must refund the sale proceeds (after TDS deduction).
The property must be re-registered under the trust’s ownership.
Both related cases (CC/08/2025 and CC/50/2025) have been disposed of.
Reactions from the Community
Akshay Jain, General Secretary, Maharashtra Youth Congress, and member of the Jain Hostel Protection Committee, said,
“This was not just a legal fight over a piece of land — it was a battle for students’ rights, community faith, and justice. The struggle was intense, and we faced several challenges, but the entire society — cutting across caste, religion, and political lines — stood with us. This ruling goes beyond one trust; it sets a precedent for transparency and fairness under charity law. Our next goal is to reopen the hostel immediately.”
Laxmikant Khabia expressed gratitude, saying,
“The Jain community has always walked the path of non-violence. Today’s victory is the fruit of that perseverance. We thank Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for fulfilling his promise to the Jain community, as well as Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, former MP Raju Shetti, former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, and Abhay Chhajed for their support.”
Adv. Yogesh Pande, who handled the legal proceedings, added,
“We examined every aspect of the case and worked tirelessly day and night to ensure justice. This victory was hard-earned, involving efforts at the High Court and before the Charity Commissioner. Our fight for the cause will continue.”
