Pune: ₹200 Crore Land Scam Rocks Pimpri Chinchwad; Rama Group, Vardhaman Developers Among 19 Booked
Pune: ₹200 Crore Land Scam Rocks Pimpri Chinchwad; Rama Group, Vardhaman Developers Among 19 Booked
Pune, September 5, 2025 — A massive land grab scam worth nearly ₹200 crore has been exposed in the Pimpri Chinchwad region, involving prominent builders, local gangs, and alleged police collusion.
According to a complaint filed by Rahul Rajiv Arora (51), resident of Baner Hills, Pune, Rama Group (Elephanta Realty), Vardhaman Developers, members of the Thatte family, businessman Mahesh Gadgil, and several others conspired to seize 36.42 hectares of land using forged documents, bogus power of attorney, and fake agreements.
The Pune Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a case against 19 accused under IPC Sections 318(4), 111, and 61(2). Among the accused are Jitendra Punjabi and associates from Rama Group, Prakash Chhajed of Vardhaman Developers, members of the Thatte family, and six members of a criminal gang who allegedly received ₹35 crore to threaten the complainant.
The scam reportedly began in 2021, when the accused executed fake land deals despite ongoing court disputes. Rama Group allegedly entered into a bogus contract worth ₹96.25 crore, while Vardhaman Developers registered a fraudulent deed worth ₹12.65 crore.
The complaint further alleges that local police ignored repeated appeals and even threatened the complainant with false cases. Suspicions of political involvement have also surfaced, as some accused are believed to have funded local leaders.
Victims have now demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) along with a joint inquiry by RERA, revenue, and police authorities. Citizens and landowners in Pimpri Chinchwad have urged the government to take strict action, warning that the scandal threatens the credibility of the entire real estate sector.
