Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol Responds to ₹230-Crore Land Deal Allegations in Pune
Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol has refuted allegations linking him to a controversial ₹230-crore land deal in Pune, emphasizing his compliance with legal requirements and disassociation from the developer firm.
PuneLand DealMurlidhar MoholJain TrustReal EstateReal Estate PuneOct 19, 2025
Mohol clarified that the trustees of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust decided to sell the land to a developer during a meeting on December 16 last year. A tender advertisement was subsequently published on December 20. “I am not connected to Gokhale Construction. The matter is sub judice, and I stand firmly with the Jain brothers,” Mohol said, adding that politicians, like others, can be businessmen, but he has always adhered to the law.
He further stated that he resigned from both Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firms linked to the land deal on November 25, 2024. Documents confirming his resignation are available on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website. “Even before I stepped down, there had been no transaction involving the Jain Boarding or the trust. My name should not be dragged into this. I have always been connected with both the common man and the business community, but I have no involvement in this deal,” Mohol emphasized.
Mohol’s response came after opposition leaders, including Raju Shetti, alleged his links with the trust that sold the land to a private developer. On October 18, several Jain community members rallied through Pune to protest the sale of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Digambar Jain Boarding (SHND Hostel) property — a 3.5-acre site housing a Jain temple and hostel.
Protesters accused the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust of “betraying the community’s faith” by selling the land to Gokhale Landmarks LLP, a Pune-based real estate developer. The proposed project reportedly includes 1.6 million sq. ft. of ultra-luxury residential and retail space, with apartments priced from ₹7 crore onwards. The developer has pledged to construct a new 51,000 sq. ft. hostel and expand the existing temple, but community members say the sale violates the religious and cultural sanctity of the site.
The protest, led by Acharya Gurudev Shri Guptinandji Maharaj and other revered saints under the banner of the Jain Boarding Bachao Kruti Samiti, saw monks, students, alumni, citizens, and community leaders march from the hostel premises to the district collector’s office, demanding that the multi-crore land deal be scrapped.
The agitation coincides with a civil writ petition filed by the Association of SHND Hostel Alumni (ASHA) in the Bombay High Court, challenging the Charity Commissioner’s April 4 order this year permitting the sale. The petition argues that the trust deed does not empower the trustees to sell or alienate the land and that the transaction amounts to a criminal breach of trust.
The movement has gained widespread support across Maharashtra, uniting all four sects of the Jain community in opposition to the sale. The controversy has highlighted the tension between development and the preservation of cultural and religious heritage in rapidly growing urban areas like Pune.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the land deal in question?
The land deal in question involves a 3.5-acre plot and hostel owned by the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust in Pune’s Model Colony. The trust decided to sell the land to Gokhale Landmarks LLP for ₹230 crore.
Who is Murlidhar Mohol?
Murlidhar Mohol is the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation. He has been accused of having links to the controversial land deal but has refuted these allegations.
What did the Jain community protest about?
The Jain community protested the sale of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Digambar Jain Boarding (SHND Hostel) property, a 3.5-acre site housing a Jain temple and hostel, to a private developer. They accuse the trust of betraying the community’s faith and violating the religious and cultural sanctity of the site.
What is the proposed project on the land?
The proposed project on the land reportedly includes 1.6 million sq. ft. of ultra-luxury residential and retail space, with apartments priced from ₹7 crore onwards. The developer has pledged to construct a new 51,000 sq. ft. hostel and expand the existing temple.
What legal action has been taken against the land deal?
A civil writ petition has been filed by the Association of SHND Hostel Alumni (ASHA) in the Bombay High Court, challenging the Charity Commissioner’s April 4 order permitting the sale. The petition argues that the trust deed does not empower the trustees to sell or alienate the land and that the transaction amounts to a criminal breach of trust.
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