Pune, October 19, 2025: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, has categorically refuted allegations tying him to a contentious ₹230-crore land transaction involving a 3.5-acre plot and hostel owned by a Jain trust in Pune’s Model Colony. The controversy has escalated in recent days, drawing widespread public attention, community protests, and political scrutiny. Mohol maintained that he had no involvement in the deal and emphasized that he had severed all business ties with the developer firm involved, Gokhale Construction, well before the transaction was initiated.

“I am not connected to Gokhale Construction. The matter is sub judice, and I stand firmly with the Jain brothers,” Mohol asserted during a media interaction. He further highlighted that while politicians, like any other citizens, may engage in business activities, he has always adhered to the law, particularly regulations that prevent ministers and MPs from holding positions in private firms.

Clarifying the Timeline and Role

Mohol elaborated on the sequence of events leading up to the controversial sale. He stated that the trustees of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust decided to sell the land to a developer during a meeting held on December 16, 2024. A tender advertisement was subsequently published on December 20 of the same year. Importantly, Mohol emphasized that he had already resigned from both Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firms linked to the project on November 25, 2024. Documents confirming his resignation are publicly accessible 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 clarified. His statement sought to distance him from allegations that have been circulating in the media and among opposition political figures.

Opposition Allegations and Political Tensions

The controversy intensified when opposition leaders, including Raju Shetti, publicly questioned Mohol’s links with the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust, suggesting that the Union Minister may have played a role in facilitating the land sale. The opposition has leveraged the issue to criticize the ruling government, framing the sale as an example of political figures colluding with corporate developers to bypass community interests.

The political narrative gained further momentum as protests erupted across Pune, with members of the Jain community expressing outrage over the proposed sale of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Digambar Jain Boarding (SHND Hostel) property. This 3.5-acre site, housing both a Jain temple and a hostel, is considered a place of significant religious and cultural importance.

Community Protests and Opposition from Jain Groups

On October 18, several members of the Jain community organized a large-scale march under the banner of the Jain Boarding Bachao Kruti Samiti. Led by revered saints including Acharya Gurudev Shri Guptinandji Maharaj, the protest saw monks, students, alumni, citizens, and community leaders walking from the hostel premises to the district collector’s office, demanding the cancellation of the multi-crore land deal.

The protesters argued that the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust had “betrayed the community’s faith” by agreeing to sell the land to Gokhale Landmarks LLP, a Pune-based real estate developer. The proposed project is reported to include 1.6 million square feet of ultra-luxury residential and retail space, with apartment prices starting at ₹7 crore. While the developer has promised to construct a new 51,000 square-foot hostel and expand the existing temple, community members insist that such promises do not compensate for the cultural and religious sanctity that would be compromised by commercial development.

The agitation has drawn attention to longstanding tensions between heritage conservation, community interests, and commercial real estate development in Pune. Many residents and alumni argue that the SHND Hostel property represents more than just land; it embodies the legacy, history, and social work of the Jain community, which should not be overridden by financial interests.

Legal Proceedings and Sub Judice Status

In addition to public protests, the controversy has entered the legal arena. A civil writ petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court by the Association of SHND Hostel Alumni (ASHA), challenging the Charity Commissioner’s order from April 4, 2025, which permitted the sale. The petition contends that the trust deed does not authorize trustees to sell or alienate the land and that the transaction amounts to a criminal breach of trust.

The writ petition has amplified community concerns, asserting that the sale violates both the spirit and letter of the trust deed, undermining the religious and cultural authority of the trust. Legal experts note that the court will have to weigh the trustees’ autonomy in managing trust assets against the collective rights and expectations of the community that the trust serves.

Unified Opposition Across Jain Sects

Interestingly, the movement against the land sale has succeeded in uniting all four major sects of the Jain community in Maharashtra—a rare display of communal solidarity. Leaders from different Jain subgroups have voiced shared concerns over the transaction, emphasizing the potential erosion of religious values and community cohesion if the sale proceeds.

The protests have also highlighted broader issues concerning the governance of religious trusts in India, particularly in cases where trustees are perceived to be prioritizing financial gains over community interests. Social commentators note that such disputes often involve a delicate balance between legal authority, fiduciary responsibility, and moral accountability to community members.

Mohol’s Position and Political Implications

Union Minister Mohol’s firm denial of any involvement is intended to pre-empt allegations that he may have leveraged political influence to facilitate the land deal. By publicly highlighting the timeline of his resignation from the associated LLP firms, Mohol seeks to establish a clear separation between his official duties and private business interests.

However, the political ramifications of the controversy are likely to persist. Opposition leaders have seized upon the dispute to question the transparency and accountability of government-linked figures in business dealings. Given the high-profile nature of the parties involved—the Union Minister, a prominent real estate developer, and a revered religious trust—the issue is expected to remain in public discourse for some time.

Community Sentiment and Public Perception

The strong response from the Jain community underscores the emotional and cultural dimensions of the dispute. Many community members view the SHND Hostel property as integral to their collective heritage, rather than a mere real estate asset. The protests reflect a broader sentiment of protecting communal assets from commercialization and maintaining accountability among trustees and influential public figures.

While the developer’s promises of a new hostel and temple expansion offer some compensation, critics argue that these measures cannot replace the original property’s historical and spiritual value. The dispute has sparked conversations across social and mainstream media about balancing urban development with heritage preservation.

Next Steps and Legal Resolution

The Bombay High Court is expected to hear the writ petition challenging the Charity Commissioner’s order, which could determine the fate of the proposed sale. Until a judicial verdict is delivered, the land transaction remains sub judice, and the Union Minister’s claims of non-involvement remain a significant aspect of the debate.

Meanwhile, community mobilization continues, with Jain leaders urging members to maintain solidarity and ensure that the collective voice of the community is represented in legal and administrative proceedings. The case could set a precedent for how religious trusts in Maharashtra—and potentially across India—navigate large-scale commercial transactions while remaining accountable to their stakeholders.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the ₹230-crore sale of the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Digambar Jain Boarding property has highlighted the complex intersection of politics, religion, and real estate development in Pune. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol’s denial of involvement seeks to clarify his position, but the protests and legal challenges underscore deep-rooted community concerns. With the Bombay High Court petition pending and widespread public scrutiny continuing, the dispute remains a focal point for debates on governance, transparency, and the preservation of cultural and religious heritage in India.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance trustees must maintain between fiduciary responsibility, communal trust, and public accountability. For the Jain community in Pune, the outcome of this dispute is about much more than land—it is about safeguarding the integrity and continuity of their cultural and spiritual legacy.