In response to perceived life threats, Saurav Ray, Director of Defence Estates in the Southern Command, Pune, has been provided with armed security by the Pune city police. This heightened security comes in the context of the ongoing investigation into the fraudulent sale and sealing of bungalows in Pune Cantonment, with an estimated worth of Rs 350 crores.
Pune Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr stated that an armed policeman has been deployed to ensure Ray’s security based on his request and a comprehensive review of the sensitive positions he has held within the central government. This security measure has been implemented considering his responsibilities in handling the defence land bungalows sealing case.
Saurav Ray, known for exposing scams such as the Adarsh Housing Society scam in Mumbai, issued orders to take strict action against the fraudulent sale of old grant bungalows in the cantonment. In a recent development, he wrote to the Inspector General of Registration and Stamps of the Maharashtra State government, urging an immediate halt to the sale of bungalows on defence land.
The Pune cantonment, housing around 300 bungalows, has become a focal point of investigation, with at least fifteen old grant bungalow properties identified as having been sold improperly. The investigation reveals issues of corruption, nepotism, and favoritism in these transactions, causing widespread concern.
Civil society members in Pune City and the cantonment are advocating for the establishment of a nationwide task force by the union government to investigate the fraudulent sale of over 4000 old grant defence bungalows valued at over 2 lakh crore rupees. Central and military agencies are also scrutinizing deals worth hundreds of crores of rupees.
