Pune: IGR directs sub-registrars to probe illegal sales of defence bungalows

Officials stated on Monday that the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) has written to each of its deputies offices throughout the state, requesting that they look into the sales of the defence bungalows within their purview, take appropriate action, and provide a compliance report.

The Southern Command Defence Estates director’s letter, which objected to the sale of defence bungalows, citing their status as central government property that cannot be sold, served as the basis for the action taken by IGR headquarters. He had asked IGR to stop selling any defence bungalows in the cantonments of Pune and Khadki, referring to them as Indian Army national assets.

In a letter to officials, the IGR cited the Southern Command Defence Estates director’s letter from December 6, 2023, and instructed them to take action as per the registration department rules and submit a compliance report regarding the sale of defence bungalows in cantonment areas.

According to the January 1 letter, all deputy IGRs in charge of their area must give sub-registrars under their supervision strict instructions on how to sell bungalows and defense properties.

The IGR stated that the state’s registration offices have been notified, and officers in charge have been instructed not to register any old grant bungalow defense property until they receive a NOC from the ministry of defense or another appropriate authority. According to a letter from the Director of Defence Estates, Southern Command, such incidents of defence bungalows being registered have happened in the past, and they have directed officials that no such registrations should occur going forward.

The IGR letter is significant because the Defence Estate Office in Pune is investigating 15 old grant bungalow (OGB) deals. The violators are suspected of selling prime defense properties illegally and fraudulently. The combined market value of the 60 expansive bungalow properties in prime locations owned by the Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) and the over 300 OGBs owned by the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) is estimated to be ₹10,000 crore. The DEO, Pune office has already sealed four bungalows estimated to be worth ₹350 crore in the last three weeks. It has also started the process of taking over one of the oldest New Poona Clubs for non-payment of dues totaling ₹17 crore and lease expiration.