Pune: The arrest of Milind Deshmukh, Secretary of the Servants of India Society, and his associates appears inevitable after the Pune Police filed new charges related to a land-grab case involving approximately 16 acres of the Ranade Trust’s property.
The case has sparked considerable unrest within the organization, as Deshmukh and his associates face serious allegations of fraud.
The controversy dates back to 2021 when the trustees of the Ranade Trust accused Deshmukh, his brother-in-law Sagar Kale, and Shivaji Dhankawde of conspiring to illegally acquire the Trust’s land.
Although a complaint was filed at Deccan Police Station, the investigation was delayed, and an affidavit was filed in the High Court stating there was no substance to the case, which temporarily shielded Deshmukh from arrest.
However, recent developments have escalated the situation. On July 17, 2024, a senior police officer filed fresh charges against Deshmukh and his associates for forgery and fraud, including forging signatures to deceive the Revenue Department.
The case took another turn on July 27, 2024, following an affidavit submitted by the investigating officer in response to the 2021 complaint.
In response to these developments, Praveenkumar Raut, who is leading the complaint, has submitted a memorandum to the state's Higher and Technical Education Minister, Chandrakant Patil.
The Charity Commissioner has also granted a final opportunity for the trustees of the Servants of India Society to present their case in court on August 7, 2024.
Raut has also questioned the inaction of the Society's President, Damodar Sahu, in revoking Deshmukh's secretaryship and membership, accusing Sahu of prioritizing personal interests over the organization's integrity.
