Pune: Settlement Commissioner Initiates Surprise Inspections in 50 Land Records Offices Across Maharashtra

Pune, 20th May 2025: In a bold and unprecedented move to clean up Maharashtra’s land records system, Settlement Commissioner Suhas Diwase has launched a state-wide inspection drive, described internally as a “surgical strike” on suspected irregularities. The campaign began today with simultaneous surprise inspections at 50 taluka-level land measurement and records offices across the state.

The action follows a recent directive issued by the Office of the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records, Maharashtra, in response to a series of exposés—most notably one published by Pune

Taking note of the revelations, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule admitted to ongoing disorder and mismanagement in the land measurement offices. His acknowledgment became the catalyst for the sweeping probe now underway under Divse’s leadership, with the aim of restoring public trust in the land records department.

As part of the crackdown, 12 Superintendent-level offices in the Pune division are being inspected from today, including offices in Maval, Shirur, Daund, Purandar, and Bhor talukas. Similar inspections are also in progress in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur districts, as well as in Mumbai Suburbs, Konkan, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Amravati, and Nagpur.

The inspection teams will conduct a full audit of each office’s operations over the past year, focusing on the functioning of Deputy Superintendents and City Survey Officers. Special teams have been deployed to carry out the task, and detailed reports will be submitted directly to the Settlement Commissioner’s office.

“Orders have been issued to initiate inspections at 50 Deputy Superintendent Land Records offices across Maharashtra. Instructions were given via video conference, and dedicated teams have been formed to conduct a thorough review of one year’s activities. The findings will be submitted to the Settlement Commissioner,” said Anand Bhandari, Additional Settlement Commissioner.

The move has sent shockwaves through the land administration machinery, particularly in regions with a high volume of complaints. Officials are reportedly on edge as this surprise crackdown seeks to uncover malpractice, enforce accountability, and bring much-needed transparency to one of the state’s most citizen-facing departments.