Illegal structure found near Naneghat caves in Pune’s Junnar, FIR registered by ASI

Police have booked a man after an illegal construction was found adjacent to the historic Naneghat Caves in Junnar taluka of Pune district. The case was registered under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act following a complaint by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Located in the Western Ghats, the Naneghat Caves date back to the 1st century BCE and are associated with the Satavahana dynasty. The site, which features early Brahmi inscriptions, also includes a historic mountain pass that once connected the Konkan coast with the Deccan plateau. The caves are protected by the ASI, and any construction within 200 metres of the site boundary is prohibited. Boundary stones have been installed and boards displayed to notify the ban on illegal construction.

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According to the complaint, an ASI team on routine patrol recently noticed a brick structure on the eastern side of the caves. When questioned, a man present at the site admitted to having constructed the structure but failed to produce any permission. The individual was identified as Mahendra Kondiba Kharat, a resident of Ghatghar in Junnar.

Following instructions from senior officials, Abhishek Pal, an ASI official posted in Junnar, lodged a First Information Report at the local police station on Saturday.

Inspector Kiran Awachar of the Junnar police station said, “Based on an ASI officer’s complaint we have registered a case. An investigation has been launched. A notice has been served to the accused person and we are probing how he ended up doing construction in the protected area.”