Pune: Inquiry Ordered into Alleged Land Sale of Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute
Pune, 24th July 2023: The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) in Pune has launched an investigation into the reported sale of land belonging to Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute.
This inquiry comes after an Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that in April 2022, the estate department of Deccan College Poona Trust, a government-appointed trust overseeing the college, obtained sanction from the Joint Charity Commissioner of Pune for the sale of land to private entities Pushpa Properties and Kunal Developers.
The inquiry order, issued by DHE’s administrative officer, Suyash Dusane, on July 21, was triggered by complaints lodged by Abhijit Khedekar, an MA (archaeology) student, and Abhishekh Haridas, a social activist. Both complainants demanded the cancellation of the sale and lease deed, citing concerns about the larger public interest. They argued that since the college is a public trust, any sale or lease of its land or property requires prior permission from the state government.
According to the information received through the RTI application, the trust administrators, namely Prasad Joshi, secretary Jagganath Kulkarni, and estate manager Prashant Khedekar, had requested permission from the Joint Charity Commissioner Pune Region for an extension to the sale deed of land to Developers on April 21, 2022.
In response to the complaint, the administrative officer of DHE, Suyash Dusane, has directed the joint commissioner of DHE to initiate an inquiry and submit a detailed report with remarks urgently.
Dusane stated, “I have ordered the joint commissioner of DHE to initiate an inquiry and submit a detailed report with clear remarks urgently. Next week, the DHE will receive the report, and appropriate action will be taken accordingly.”
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