Pune Court Orders FIR Against Runwal Group Executives And Others In Alleged Land Grab And Forgery Case
Runwal Group
Pune Court Orders FIR Against Runwal Executives and in Alleged Land Fraud Case
Pune, May 18, 2026: In a significant development, the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court in Pune has directed Vimantal Police Station to immediately register an FIR against several individuals, including businessman Subodh Subhash Runwal, Ashutosh Navare, Lucy Roy Choudhary, M.B. Agarwal & Co., and other unidentified persons, in connection with an alleged land fraud and organised crime case linked to a prime property near Pune International Airport. The order was passed on May 16, 2026, by Judicial Magistrate First Class Dr. D. R. Dornalpalle in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 3237/2026. After reviewing the complaint, affidavit, supporting documents, and hearing arguments, the court observed that a prima facie case involving cognizable offences had been established.
The Magistrate directed police to register offences under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including organised crime, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, forgery for cheating, and criminal trespass. The court exercised powers under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The court also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the Lalita Kumari vs Government of Uttar Pradesh case, reiterating that police are legally bound to register an FIR when cognizable offences are disclosed.
The dispute revolves around a 3.93-hectare land parcel located at Survey No. 214/2 in the Lohegaon-Viman Nagar area of Pune. According to the complaint, late businessman Satish Satyanarayan Mittal had acquired ownership and development rights over the property between 2005 and 2006 through his proprietary concern, Wonder Properties. In 2007, Wonder Properties entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Runwal Developers Pvt. Ltd., forming an entity named Runwal Wonder Ventures. The agreement allegedly prohibited transfer or assignment of rights without written consent from Mittal or his legal heirs.
Following Mittal’s death in 2016, it has been alleged that forged and backdated documents were created to illegally transfer development rights to associated entities. The complaint further alleges manipulation of income tax records and unlawful attempts to claim sole ownership of the project. Bridge Water Realty LLP, represented by designated partner Ranjeet Ashok Darak, later acquired 80 percent rights from Mittal’s legal heirs through a registered assignment deed executed in February 2021. The firm claims to have remained in lawful possession of the property since then. The complainant alleged that despite multiple police complaints filed earlier this year, no FIR was registered, forcing them to approach the court under Section 175(3) of BNSS.
The matter has also been part of ongoing civil and arbitration proceedings. Earlier this year, the Pune District Court had passed interim orders protecting the rights of Mittal’s heirs and Bridge Water Realty LLP. Subsequently, the Bombay High Court directed both parties to maintain status quo over the disputed property until further hearings. Reacting to the court order, Ranjeet Ashok Darak stated that the decision was “a victory for the rule of law” and expressed confidence in the judicial process and police investigation. The criminal investigation will continue alongside the pending civil and arbitration proceedings related to the disputed land parcel.
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