Pune: Activist Seeks PM’s Probe Into Alleged Irregularities In Jain Trust Land Deal, Mentions Minister Murlidhar Mohol’s Possible Involvement
Pune: Activist Seeks PM’s Probe Into Alleged Irregularities In Jain Trust Land Deal, Mentions Minister Murlidhar Mohol’s Possible Involvement
Pune, October 24, 2025: Activist Vijay Kumbhar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the property transactions of the Hirachand Nemchand Doshi Memorial Trust, a Jain Trust located in Pune. The complaint also highlights the possible involvement of Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol in the matter.
In his letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Kumbhar expressed serious concerns over the propriety, misuse of position, and violations of multiple laws in the land transaction. The property, approximately 3 acres in Model Colony, Pune, was reportedly purchased by a firm named Gokhale Landmarks LLP, allegedly by flouting several legal and procedural norms (Annexure 1).
According to the letter, two Multi-State Cooperative Credit Societies—Buldhana Urban Co-operative Credit Society (Maharashtra) and Shri Bireswar Co-operative Credit Society (Karnataka)—provided financial assistance for this transaction in violation of cooperative regulations (Annexure 2). These institutions allegedly failed to perform due diligence before extending such a large loan, raising suspicion of external influence or pressure.
The letter further states that Multi-State Co-operative Societies are governed by the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, which comes under the purview of the Union Government. Since Murlidhar Mohol serves as Minister of State for Cooperation, he bears administrative oversight over these institutions.
Kumbhar’s letter also notes that Mohol publicly promoted Gokhale Landmarks LLP’s project “Gokhale Business Bay” and acknowledged his close association with the firm’s partners. Election affidavits filed by Mohol during the Lok Sabha elections allegedly show that he was, or had been, a partner in companies connected to the Gokhale group (Annexure 3). Records indicate that he was a designated partner (50%) in Gokhale Estates LLP, a company linked with Gokhale Landmarks LLP, sharing the same address and contact details—raising questions about his denial of association.
Additionally, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has reportedly taken legal action against Gokhale Landmarks LLP for violations under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. The projects “Gokhale Business Bay” and “Tejkunj” allegedly used a single bank account for multiple projects, breaching RERA norms that require 70% of funds to be maintained separately per project. Despite repeated notices, including one dated March 16, 2023, the promoter did not respond, leading to suspension of project registration, freezing of related HDFC Bank accounts, and prohibition on further sale or registration of flats (Annexure 4). Both projects remain in abeyance.
Kumbhar also alleged that despite these violations, the two Cooperative Credit Societies sanctioned approximately ₹70 crore in funding to Gokhale Landmarks LLP without adequate scrutiny and even relinquished their mortgage rights later (Annexure 5). This, he claimed, points toward irregular influence in the financing process.
Given that these cooperative societies fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Cooperation, which Mohol currently oversees, Kumbhar contends that his role and influence in the episode raise serious ethical and legal concerns. Instead of ensuring accountability or ordering a probe into the financial and regulatory breaches, Mohol has distanced himself from the issue, the letter claims. Kumbhar argues that this failure to act undermines public trust in the Ministry and cooperative governance.
In his concluding appeal, Kumbhar urged the Prime Minister to:
- Order a thorough and impartial inquiry into the Jain Trust property transaction in Pune;
- Investigate the roles of Gokhale Landmarks LLP, the two Cooperative Credit Societies, and all officials involved;
- Examine the involvement of Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol in the matter and take appropriate action if any misuse of position or conflict of interest is established.
He emphasized that the citizens of Pune and the cooperative sector deserve transparency and accountability in such matters. “Your intervention is crucial to restore faith in public institutions and to ensure that no minister or official is above the law,” Kumbhar stated in the letter.
