Pune: Maharashtra Govt Suspends 15 Revenue Officials Over Alleged Misuse of Land Revenue Act; Criminal Cases to Follow
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Mumbai/Pune, 10th July 2026: The Maharashtra government has suspended 15 Revenue Department officials, including deputy collectors and tehsildars, for allegedly misusing Section 155 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to carry out illegal land mutations and alter property ownership records.
Announcing the action in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Friday, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said criminal cases would also be registered against those found guilty, while some officials could face dismissal from service.
The action follows an inquiry into the Pune Revenue Division after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab had raised the issue of the alleged misuse of Section 155 during the previous legislative session.
Section 155 Allegedly Misused for Illegal Land Mutations
Section 155 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code is intended to correct clerical or typographical errors in land records. However, according to the government, officials allegedly misused the provision to make substantial changes to land ownership records.
The minister told the House that investigations had uncovered instances where properties were transferred from one person’s name to another without legal justification. In some cases, official files were allegedly removed or destroyed to conceal evidence.
Bawankule said criminal proceedings are also being initiated under the Administrative and Public Records Act, 2005, in connection with the disappearance of official records.
“A major irregularity has come to light in which properties belonging to one person were transferred to another. We have begun a comprehensive review to restore land to its rightful owners. No one will be shielded,” the minister said.
Inquiry Finds 424 Suspected Cases
The inquiry into the Pune Revenue Division identified 424 suspicious cases, which have been classified into three categories:
Highly serious cases: In 13 cases, 15 officials and employees found directly responsible have been suspended.
Serious cases: Departmental inquiries recommending major penalties under Rule 8 have been proposed in 247 cases.
Minor cases: Investigations under Rule 10 will be initiated in 164 cases.
The minister also said officials classified under the highest-risk category and linked to more than 30 violations would face immediate suspension, while others would be transferred to non-executive posts outside the Pune Revenue Division.
Statewide Verification Ordered
Following the findings in Pune, the state government has directed all district collectors to verify every order issued under Section 155 over the past five years.
The exercise is to be completed within three months, after which an Action Taken Report (ATR) will be presented during the next session of the state legislature.
Revenue Law Amendments Planned
Bawankule also announced that the government is preparing amendments to plug loopholes not only in Section 155 but also in Sections 70(B) and 85 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, which have allegedly been misused by subordinate revenue officials.
A law reform committee is examining the proposed changes, and the government intends to introduce a comprehensive amendment Bill in the next legislative session.
Tuljapur Land Encroachment Probe
The minister also informed the House that the government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee under the Pune Divisional Commissioner to investigate complaints of illegal land encroachments and land grabbing in Tuljapur.
The government assured the legislature that illegal encroachments would be removed and criminal action would be initiated against those found responsible.
The announcements mark one of the state’s most significant crackdowns on alleged irregularities in land administration and signal a broader review of revenue records across Maharashtra.
