Pune: Congress Accuses BJP Of Multi-Lakh Fraud In Municipal Gyms; Files Complaint With PMC Commissioner

Pune, 24th April 2025: A major corruption scandal has surfaced in Pune’s civic administration. Indian National Congress activist Sagar Dhadwe filed a formal complaint to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner, alleging large-scale financial irregularities in the operation of municipal gyms in Ward 29. Dhadwe has accused a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator and local administrative officials of embezzling lakhs of rupees through the misuse of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) gym facilities.

According to information obtained under the Right to Information Act, the PMC constructed three gyms in Ward 29—Bhanudas Gezge Gym in Sane Guruji Nagar, Municipal Gym in Lokmanya Nagar, and Chandrakant Bhotare Gym in Navi Peth—at a cost of crores, including expenses for equipment and maintenance. Despite this significant investment, the PMC’s Sports Department confirmed that the civic body has not earned any revenue from these gyms, nor have the facilities been officially handed over to the intended managing bodies.

Dhadwe alleges that, contrary to official procedure, these gyms have remained under the control of the former corporator and his associates for over a decade. During this period, thousands of local youths have reportedly been charged ₹400 per month to use the facilities, resulting in the collection of lakhs of rupees annually, none of which has been accounted for in the municipal records.

The complaint further claims that, after Dhadwe sought information under RTI on 27th March, certain PMC officials began hurriedly transferring control of the gyms back to the civic body and even proposed handing over one gym to a private trust for 11 months, raising suspicions of an attempt to cover up past mismanagement.

Dhadwe has demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the alleged corruption, prosecution of the responsible BJP corporator and complicit officials, and the registration of criminal cases against those involved. He has also indicated plans to approach the Pune Police’s Economic Offences Wing with all supporting documents to ensure accountability for the alleged misuse of public funds.