The Maharashtra government has ordered a statewide audit of land owned by churches, Christian missionary organisations and related institutions to identify alleged illegal encroachments, disputed ownership and irregularities in land records.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, saying the exercise would be completed within three months.
Audit to Cover British-Era and Post-Independence Land
According to the minister, the verification will examine land held by missionary organisations since the British era as well as properties transferred after Independence.
“The objective is to identify illegal encroachments, disputed land titles and irregularities in ownership,” Bawankule said, adding that the survey is part of the state’s broader land administration policy.
He clarified that institutions with valid ownership documents have nothing to fear.
“Those with legally valid land titles and transfers need not worry. But where there are violations of norms or illegalities, the government will review the cases and take appropriate action,” he said.
BJP MLA Raised Nashik Land Dispute
The announcement came after BJP MLA Devayani Pharande raised the issue of a long-pending land dispute involving the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association Limited.
According to PTI, Pharande alleged that land originally granted by the British government for schools, colleges and hospitals run by Christian institutions was later transferred into private hands through manipulation of records after the death of the original trustees. She sought government intervention to resolve the matter.
Committee to Verify Land Records
The government said a committee headed by the concerned divisional commissioner will conduct the audit. The panel will include senior officials from the settlement commissioner’s office, the police department and the Inspector General of Registration.
Bawankule said that in cases where the land has already been developed into residential colonies or allocated for public infrastructure, the government will seek the legal department’s opinion before taking any final decision.
Announcement Comes Amid Concerns Raised by Christian Groups
The decision comes days after a delegation representing Christian organisations met the Mumbai Police Commissioner seeking protection against alleged threats and disruptions at prayer meetings.
Under the banner of Mumbai for Peace, around 25 organisations submitted a memorandum alleging that right-wing groups had repeatedly entered prayer venues and spread misinformation targeting the Christian community.
Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government also passed the Freedom of Religion Bill, an anti-conversion law that several Christian organisations and opposition parties opposed.
