The Congress, on Saturday, demanded the resignation of Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol over his alleged involvement in facilitating the illegal sale of land belonging to a charitable trust to a construction firm in which he was a partner until December.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday, Atul Londhe Patil, senior spokesperson of the Maharashtra Congress, alleged that the land belonging to a charitable trust, on which the Hirachand Digambar Jain Hostel and a temple are built, was sold to Gokhale Builders at a throwaway price of Rs 230 crore, even though its actual value is about Rs 2,500 crore.
Disputing the claims of Mohol, Patil said the speed at which things happened on a single day suggests that it could not have been possible without his patronage. Mohol is the local MP, representing Pune in the Lok Sabha.
The Maharashtra Congress spokesperson revealed that the trust deed clearly mentions that the land can never be sold and can only be used for educational purposes and for the functioning of the Jain temple located there. He said the trust deed also specifies that, in case funds ever need to be generated, it can be done by building shops or commercial establishments, which can be rented out for income, but under no circumstances can the land be sold.
Disputing Mohol’s claims that he was not involved in any way, Patil sought to know if it was possible that a builder could pressurize a charitable trust, the registry office, the municipal corporation, and the banks to get the work done at lightning speed without political influence.
Besides, he added, how is it possible that the sale deed, the mortgage of the land, and the sanctioning of loans by two banks — along with the release of funds — all took place in a single day?
Alleging a conflict of interest, Patil said that while Mohol took oath as a minister in June 2024, he exited Gokhale Builders only in December.
The Congress leader said that first, the land could not have been sold at all as it belonged to a charitable trust. Second, it was grossly undervalued and sold for just Rs 230 crore, while one of Gokhale Builders’ partners had claimed that they expected to earn about Rs 2,500 crore from the upcoming project.
Demanding the immediate resignation of Minister Mohol, Patil sought an inquiry, saying if he comes clean, he can rejoin the government; otherwise, strict action should be initiated against him. |
