In a decisive move, the Defence Estates Directorate, Southern Command, sealed two luxurious bungalows located on defense land in Pune Cantonment on Friday. The combined estimated worth of these properties is approximately ₹150 crore. The sealing of these prime assets comes in response to alleged fraud and nonpayment of ₹17 crore in arrears.
Bungalows under Scrutiny: Legal Actions Initiated: The first property, an Old Grant Bungalow (OGB) Number 15 on Staveley Road, spanning two acres, was the initial target of the Defence Estates Directorate’s enforcement action. Following closely, Bungalow Number 22 on Napier Road, situated within the Pune cantonment limits, also faced the sealing order.
New Poona Club in Crosshairs: The Directorate has further intensified its measures by initiating the process of taking over the New Poona Club, located in Bungalow Number 2 on Rajendrasinhji Road. This action is a consequence of nonpayment of arrears amounting to ₹17 crore. Earlier in the week, another bungalow near the Southern Command office, the Director of Defence Estates, and the IDES officers’ enclave, was also sealed.
Fraudulent Acquisitions and Legal Consequences: Officials from the Defence Estates’ Directorate have highlighted that both bungalow cases involve fraudulent activities. The buildings were sanctioned under the name of the Holder of Rights (HOR), despite the owners allegedly acquiring the properties illegally.
A senior official emphasized that each case would be thoroughly examined, and strict consequences await the offenders. The Staveley Road property, described as a 5,500 square foot luxury high-ceiling bungalow, was allegedly acquired fraudulently by a businessman in 2013 without official permission. The businessman subsequently obtained approval from the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) to demolish the existing structure and construct a new one.
Legal Directives and Affidavit Requests: The Defence Estate officials directed the Pune District Education Officer (DEO) to issue a final notice of five working days regarding the Napier Road bungalow. Simultaneously, they requested an affidavit from the current occupant of the property.
In a bid to curb illegal acquisitions and enforce financial compliance, the Defence Estates Directorate’s actions signal a firm stance against fraudulent activities on defense land.
