Mumbai,

08 July (HS): A high level enquiry into the land owned by the churches in

Maharashtra will be carried out within three months. The issue relating to the

Diocesan Trust Association in Nashik, was raised by Devayani Pharande in the

Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured

enquiry while replying to the call attention motion raised by Pharande.

The land was handed over to the British to

churches after independence in a suspicious manner. The Church Missionary Trust

Association Limited, London and Nashik Diocesan Trust Association entered an

agreement on August 12, 1949. Besides the land, Christian schools, colleges and

hospitals were transferred by the British. However, after the death of trustees

the properties were handed over to a private individual using fake documents.

Later the private company is being exploited for presenting a ‘No Objection

Certificate’ for sale of the church land. The original documents prior to 1932 are

missing from the District Collector’s office, Pharande alleged.

Bawankule assured enquiry within three

months, even if the case is pending in the Bombay High Court. The committee

will be headed by the Divisional Commissioner.

The enquiry will not be restricted to

Nashik Church Trust, but will include all the churches in Maharashtra.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar