Pune Court Orders Cancellation of Controversial Jain Property Sale Deed Amid Community Opposition

A Pune civil court has cancelled a sale deed for a Jain trust property after community opposition. The court's ruling affects a deal involving Gokhale Builders and highlights concerns from students and alumni.

The Pune civil court has annulled a contentious sale deed involving a prime property owned by a Jain trust. This decision was made following requests from both the trustee and the builder involved in the transaction. The court declared the land purchase agreement between the Jain Boarding trustee and Gokhale Builders legally void, effectively cancelling it.

The court's order was made public on its website on Monday. It instructed the Sub-Registrar offices at Haveli-10 and Haveli-13 to update their records, reflecting the cancellation of the sale agreement dated May 15, 2025. This property, situated in Model Colony, includes a boarding facility for Jain students and a Bhagwan Mahavir temple.

Cancellation Process Initiated

Earlier this year, Gokhale Landmarks LLP acquired the property from the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Memorial Trust for Rs 311 crore. Of this amount, Rs 230 crore was paid upfront, with the remainder allocated for hostel redevelopment. However, significant opposition arose from students, alumni, seers, and other Jain community members.

Due to this backlash, both parties decided to terminate the agreement. In October, Gokhale Landmarks LLP applied to withdraw from the deal. Concurrently, the trustee approached the charity commissioner and submitted a joint affidavit with the builder.

Legal Formalities Followed

The charity commissioner responded by ordering the sale's cancellation and instructed both parties to complete necessary legal procedures to nullify the sale deed. Acting on these directives, the trustee and builder sought civil court intervention to officially cancel the agreement.

This decision underscores the importance of community sentiment in property transactions involving cultural or religious sites. The resolution reflects a collaborative approach between legal authorities and stakeholders to address community concerns effectively.

With inputs from PTI