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A Pune builder has withdrawn from a proposed land deal with a Jain charitable trust after public protests and circulating rumours of irregularities. The project, involving about 12,000 m2 (3.5 acres) owned by the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust, had already progressed to a sale at INR 311 crore. The developer, Gokhale Landmarks LLP, cited the ethical implications and reputational damage as reasons for ending the transaction, and requested the trust to cancel the arrangement and refund INR 230 crore paid so far.
A builder in Pune has formally asked the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust to cancel a land deal that had stirred considerable community opposition. The trust, established in 1958, owns a site in Model Colony that comprises a decades-old Jain boarding facility and the Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Digambar Jain Temple. The developer Gokhale Landmarks LLP had signed to purchase the 12,000 m2 (3.5 acres) property for INR 311 crore from the trust. Advertisement
However, opposition from students, alumni, religious leaders and members of the Jain community challenged the sale, arguing that the trust's constitution did not permit the disposal of the property.
In a Sunday email to the trustees, Gokhale's partner Vishal Gokhale explained that despite following the process as per the Charity Commissioner's order, several false and misleading rumours had emerged in the public domain suggesting irregularities in the transaction. He said these baseless allegations had damaged the professional reputation of his firm and stirred social unrest.
He added that though the redevelopment plan would have benefited the trust and its students without affecting the temple, the growing religious, social and political interference made it inappropriate to proceed. Out of respect for the Jain community's sentiments, he decided not to continue with the project and requested the trust to cancel the deal and refund the INR 230 crore already paid.
Earlier, opposition workers from city units of the NCP (SP) and Congress had protested outside the Charity Commissioner's office, calling for cancellation of the sale.
It was also noted that the name of MP Murlidhar Mohol had been linked to the deal since he was earlier a partner in Gokhale Constructions, but he clarified that he had withdrawn from the partnership well before the finalisation of the deal.
Source PTI
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