Pune: Bawankule Orders Strict Action Against Officials Leaking Land Acquisition Information

Pune, 12th May 2026: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday warned that strict action, including criminal cases, would be initiated against government officials found involved in irregularities related to land acquisition for government projects.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Bawankule said the government had noticed instances where traders and private individuals allegedly received confidential information about upcoming land acquisition projects from officials and carried out land transactions before the acquisition process began.

He said there is generally a restriction on the purchase and sale of land for at least one year prior to acquisition for government projects. However, despite the rule, some individuals allegedly bought land in advance after obtaining insider information from officials.

The minister said the government has launched a detailed investigation into such transactions using Google Maps, land registration records from the past year, and other technical evidence.

Bawankule also alleged that in some cases, traders planted trees on land marked for acquisition to claim higher compensation. He clarified that compensation for trees would only be granted if farmers had planted them at least one year before the acquisition process started.

He said all suspicious cases from the past year would be scrutinised, and action would be taken against those found involved. The government is also working to bring greater transparency to the land acquisition process, he added.