Charity Commissioner Cancels Sale of H.N.D. Jain Boarding Trust Land; Orders Property Returned to Trust
Charity Commissioner revokes sale sanction of H.N.D. Jain Boarding Trust’s 3.5-acre land, nullifies deed and orders trust to reclaim ownership.
Pune, October 31, 2025: In a decisive move aimed at protecting public trust properties, the Charity Commissioner of Maharashtra has annulled the sale approval and related legal documents concerning the 3.5-acre land owned by the Seth Hirachand Nemchand (Smarak) Trust, also known as H.N.D. Jain Boarding, in Pune. The Commissioner’s order, issued on October 30, 2025, officially revokes the sale sanction granted earlier this year and directs that the property be restored to the trust’s name.
The cancelled approval had been granted on April 4, 2025, allowing the trust to sell its land to a private developer. However, the sale soon came under scrutiny after members of the Jain community and former students of the boarding raised objections. They alleged that the trust’s decision violated its founding principles, as the property included a temple and hostel space meant for students—facilities considered essential to the trust’s original charitable mission.
Following mounting public pressure and formal complaints, the trust and the developer jointly submitted a statement accepting the cancellation of the transaction. They also agreed to refund the sale proceeds, excluding statutory deductions such as TDS, and to cancel the power of attorney and sale deed executed earlier this month.
The Charity Commissioner’s order states that all sale-related documents are now void and that the land must be re-registered under the trust’s ownership in the public trust records. The directive further ensures that the property cannot be transferred or encumbered again without prior legal sanction and community consultation.
Members of the Jain community have welcomed the ruling, calling it a “victory for truth and accountability.” Many expressed relief that the historic property—which has served generations of students and holds cultural and religious importance—will remain under the trust’s protection. Former boarders also emphasized that the decision safeguards the trust’s core purpose of providing affordable accommodation and preserving a spiritual space for students and devotees.
Legal experts believe this case sets a crucial precedent for the management of charitable trust properties across Maharashtra. It reinforces that trusts must remain transparent, obtain proper community consent and ensure compliance with the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act before making any decisions involving sale or redevelopment of their assets.
The focus now shifts to ensuring smooth implementation of the order. The trust is expected to complete all legal formalities to reclaim ownership, refund sale proceeds and maintain detailed records of compliance with the Commissioner’s directives.
The decision is being seen as not only a legal correction but also a moral reaffirmation of the principles of trusteeship and community stewardship that underpin public trusts in India.
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