CIDCO ‘land scam’: Rohit Pawar flags letter from panel appointed by Supreme Court

“After we brought out the matter into the open, the Central Empowered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court has taken a cognisance of it and has written to the state’s Chief Secretary,” said Pawar, after meeting the CS.

As per the letter, the committee has sought information on the total extent of private forest land presently in the possession of the forest department, revenue department, and private persons; the extent of encroachments on such private forest lands; the action taken so far by the revenue and forest authorities against such encroachments; responsibility fixed for the reported irregular allotment of land by CIDCO to the Biwalkar family despite the stay granted by the Supreme Court.

The letter stated, “It has been brought to notice that in the year 1959, land bearing Survey No. 51 of village Uler, Raigad District, Alibag Forest Division, belonging to the Biwalkar family, was taken over by the Forest Department under Section 38 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and has since remained under forest management and control. Out of this, approximately 71 hectares of forest land was fraudulently transferred by the said family to CIDCO, and monetary compensation was also received from CIDCO against this land parcel.”

Shirsat has already denied the allegations and have termed Pawar’s allegations as publicity stunt.