Maharashtra Likely Against 40 Officials in Pune Over Misuse of Revenue Powers

Maharashtra Revenue Minister signals strict action against 40 officials for misuse of Section 155, with inquiries, transfers, and criminal cases recommended following a detailed probe into irregularities.

April 9, 2026 | Pune In a major administrative crackdown, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has indicated that around 40 officials in Pune district will face action for allegedly misusing provisions under Section 155 of the Revenue Act. The action follows findings that the provision, originally intended to correct clerical errors in handwritten land records (7/12 extracts), was misused to make unauthorized and legally questionable changes. These included alterations in names, land areas, inheritance entries, and other critical remarks without proper validation.

According to officials, the accused personnel will face departmental inquiries and will be transferred to non-executive posts outside the Pune division. In line with recommendations, 15 officers have already been placed on compulsory leave. The state government has categorized the irregularities based on severity. In 13 “A-category” cases deemed extremely serious, criminal proceedings along with strict departmental action will be initiated. Additionally, 247 “B-category” cases involving serious lapses will undergo detailed inquiry, with concerned officials being reassigned outside the division.

The issue came to light following numerous complaints from citizens, particularly in Pune district, where discrepancies in digitized land records were widely reported. To investigate the matter, the government had constituted a committee under the leadership of Dr. Praveen Gedam. The committee recently submitted its report after examining 2,383 cases out of a total 38,027 records. The report found 15 officials guilty of severe violations, 82 of serious misconduct, and 55 of moderate irregularities. Authorities noted that the misuse occurred under the pretext of correcting clerical mistakes during the digitization process.

The state government has now expanded the scope of the probe, directing all divisional commissioners across Maharashtra to review Section 155 orders issued over the past five years and submit reports within two months. The move is seen as a strong signal of accountability, aiming to restore public trust in land record systems and ensure transparency in administrative processes.

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