How 275 Acres of Panvel Land in Eco-Sensitive Zone Were Illegally Sold.

Panvel Mountain Land Scam: How 275 Acres of Forest Land Were Illegally Sold

• Adani Realty’s Panvel Land Deal Linked to Massive Forest Land Fraud, Investigation Reveals

• The Vrindavan Society: A Horticultural Facade for Fraud

• At the Heart of the Scam: MESZ and Forest Land Violations

A Sprouts News SIT investigation led by journalist Unmesh Gujarathi has uncovered a ₹ multi-crore Panvel mountain land scam involving 275 acres of protected forest land inside the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone. Fraudster Rahul Maganlal Timbadia and the Vrindavan Horticultural Co-Op Society allegedly acquired the land using forged records, sold plots illegally to NRIs, and concealed its forest status. The land later entered a corporate acquisition chain leading to Adani Realty, raising major political and environmental concerns.

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The Panvel Mountain Land Scam: Forest Land, NRI Investors, and the Adani Realty Link

The Panvel mountain land scam reveals a massive property fraud. Journalist Unmesh Gujarathi uncovers how 275 acres of protected forest were illegally sold. This Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) report traces the trail to Adani Realty.

A Horticultural Society’s Questionable Genesis

Vrindavan Horticultural Co. Op. Society Ltd. (VHCSL) stands accused of monumental fraud. Its name suggesting agriculture misled authorities and buyers. Alleged mastermind fraudster Rahul Timbadia led the society. The group targeted ecologically sensitive Panvel land for acquisition.

The Core Violation: MESZ and Forest Land

The 275-acre property lies in Waje and Wajapur villages. This area is legally designated as Forest Land since 1952. It also falls within the Supreme Court-protected Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone (MESZ). All development here is strictly prohibited by law.

The Dubious Land Acquisition Strategy

Initial land purchases involved Narendra Lakhani and Jitendra Timbadia. They allegedly acquired plots from a single farmer. The land was reportedly tribal allotment under the Land Ceiling Act. This raised immediate red flags about its legal status.

Targeting the Global Indian Diaspora

The society illegally carved the land into 165 individual plots. These were aggressively marketed to Non-Resident Indians and U.S. citizens. Payments were allegedly collected in foreign currencies abroad. This potentially violates FEMA and anti-money laundering laws.

Systemic Failure in Alibaug Collector Office

A critical enabler was the horticulture society registration. The Alibaug Collector’s office granted this unusual status. It provided a false legitimacy for the land conversion scheme. This registration bypassed essential environmental and revenue checks.

The Modus Operandi: Environmental Destruction

The accused commenced large-scale illegal development on the mountain. This included constructing unauthorized roads and extensive tree cutting. Massive, lavish bungalows and horse stables were built. A 150-acre boundary wall with steel fencing was erected.

Also Read: Koti Vidya Charitable Trust Fraud Exposed: ₹120 Crore Scam.

Related Article: Salman Khan Accused of Blocking Access to Neighbor’s Ganpati Temple.

The Multi-Layer Sales Fraud Scheme

Evidence suggests a complex web of duplicate sales. Many plots were allegedly sold multiple times to different buyers. This created illicit profits and ownership chaos. Innocent purchasers now face legal battles over their properties.

The Corporate Trail: From Society to Adani

The entire Vrindavan Society project was sold to Valuable Properties Private Limited. VPPL was part of the larger Valuable Group of companies. This company was subsequently acquired by Adani’s Front Realty in Panvel. The land asset was transferred to Adani Realty.

Due Diligence Failure and Corporate Accountability

This acquisition places Adani Realty under intense scrutiny. Serious questions arise about their land origin checks. The corporate giant acquired property with a allegedly fraudulent history. They are now expected to clarify their due diligence process.

Government Complicity and Institutional Silence

The scandal highlights catastrophic systemic failures. The Forest and Revenue Departments remained silent despite destruction. Their inaction enabled the continuation of large-scale violations. A clear nexus between fraudsters and officials is suspected.

The Celebrity Connection: Salman Khan’s 32 Acres

Bollywood actor Salman Khan and his family acquired 32 acres. This purchase is a prime example of the scam’s high-profile reach. The construction on his plot violates MESZ regulations explicitly. It underscores the brazen nature of the entire operation.

Demand for High-Level Independent Probe

There is a growing clamour for a comprehensive investigation. Experts demand a Judicial Enquiry and central agency involvement. A probe into money laundering and atrocity act violations is essential. The alleged politician-fraudster nexus must be uncovered.

Environmental Ravage and Buyer Betrayal

The ultimate cost is ecological devastation of a protected zone. Innocent buyers, including NRIs, hold potentially illegal properties. Their investments are now stuck in legal and environmental limbo. This case demands urgent land regulation reforms.

A Test of Governance and Corporate Ethics

The Panvel mountain land scam is a watershed moment. It tests the integrity of Maharashtra’s land governance. It also challenges corporate ethics in major acquisitions. The Sprouts News SIT will continue to monitor investigations closely.