A land records official suspended over alleged irregularities in the allocation of land measurement cases in three Pune district talukas has been reinstated and posted in Nanded in the same department, despite a proposed departmental inquiry against him still pending
Activist Vijay Kumbhar said a committee was constituted in March 2025 to examine complaints of procedural violations and alleged losses to govt revenue during the official’s tenure in Pune, after which the suspension orders were issued. The Oct 30 order reinstates the official against a vacant post in Nanded, subject to the final decision in the proposed departmental inquiry. It cites the general administration department’s April 22, 2025, resolution on suspension reviews.
A senior official from the state revenue department, however, told TOI regarding the latest order that the reinstatement and transfer were as per service rules, and that the departmental inquiry would continue. “The order is as per the service rules and the inquiry will continue despite the reinstatement order,” the official said. Kumbhar said transparency was essential as the department deals directly with land ownership, property records and farmers’ interests.
The complaints concerned the allocation and sequencing of land measurement cases in Maval, Mulshi and Haveli talukas. He sought disclosure of the inquiry report, details of action taken and accountability for the alleged revenue loss. He also asked whether the allegations had been substantiated, who had been held responsible and whether the allocation of measurement cases and subsequent changes had been independently examined. He urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the revenue minister to intervene and ensure the new posting did not affect the inquiry. He called for govt to make public the allegations, inquiry findings, extent of the alleged revenue loss and action taken.
Kumbhar, however, questioned whether an official facing serious allegations should be posted to an executive position before the inquiry is completed.