Youth Congress Demands Cancellation Of Land Transfer From Pune Police To Dagdusheth Trust Over Security Concerns
The Pune Youth Congress has strongly condemned the decision to transfer a piece of land owned by the Police Department to the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Public Ganpati Trust, located in Sadashiv Peth.
The land, measuring 1,666.30 square meters lies in a densely populated area. The Youth Congress alleged that handing over this land, currently under the ownership o f the Police Department, raises serious security concerns. They alleged that the Police Department has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Revenue Department to facilitate the transfer, and that the government has now formally handed over the land to the Trust. The party has demanded that this transfer should be stopped.
The crime rate has increased in the city, and there is already a severe shortage of land for police stations in several areas. “If the police need land in the future, where will it come from? Will any trust offer its own land to the Police Department?” questioned the Youth Congress. The party has called on the government to provide a clear explanation on the matter.
"Budhwar Peth has already been categorized as a highly sensitive area, especially after the bomb blast that occurred there on July 10, 2014. They also highlighted that reducing the police footprint in such a sensitive zone by reallocating land to a private trust is not only irresponsible but also raises concerns about the safety of Pune residents," the party added.
They argued that the city already faces significant encroachment issues, and handing over vital police land to a trust—regardless of its reputation—amounts to mocking public safety. If the trust requires space, the government should assist through proper land acquisition rather than reallocating land meant for public security infrastructure.
Demands raised by the Youth Congress:
Immediate withdrawal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Police Department.
Revocation of the Revenue Department’s order transferring the land to the Trust.
The government should conduct independent land acquisition and provide the Trust with new land—not just 1,800 sq. ft., but 18,000 sq. ft. if needed—without compromising police infrastructure.
Akshay Jain, President of the State Media Department of the Youth Congress, cited the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack to stress the importance of police presence near religious sites. “Terrorist David Headley had considered Siddhivinayak Temple as a target but changed his plan after noticing the strong police presence there,” said Jain. “That alone shows how crucial it is to have the police stationed in such areas,” he added.
Jain added, “I myself am a devoted follower of Dagdusheth Ganpati. I visit the temple regularly and even install idols at my home and office every year during Ganesh Chaturthi. This protest is not against faith—it’s about public safety.”
According to information received by the Youth Congress, on April 27, 2025, a Maharashtra Cabinet Minister along with a local MLA visited the Faraskhana/Vishrambaug Police Station building for inspection. The Youth Congress claims this site is also now being eyed by the same Trust. “We will not let this happen,” said Jain.
He further declared that any move to weaken the city’s police infrastructure or hand over police-owned land to private institutions will face strong resistance. “No compromise can be made when it comes to public safety. Distributing government land to institutions under the influence of political power is a stain on the government’s ethics. We are ready to hit the streets to stop this,” he added.
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