PIMPRI: Builder Rajiv Bhale was arrested in connection with the case lodged in 2019 concerning the alleged sale of 76 acres of grazing land by forming fake housing societies. The Devsthan Trust owned land on both sides of the road going from Kalewadi Phata to Kaspate Vasti. According to sources in Pimpri Chinchwad police, the irregularities are worth ₹43 crore.

The builder has been identified as Rajiv Yashwant Bhale (67), a resident of Apte Road, Deccan and Wakad. An FIR had been registered at the Wakad police station concerning the cheating of members of Ishan and Ankit Cooperative Housing Societies of ₹43.26 crore by five people. The incident had taken place from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2013. The matter had come to light during an audit.

Auditor Rajesh Sudam Bhujbal (52) had lodged a complaint at the Wakad police station. An FIR of cheating had been registered against Rajiv Yashwant Bhale, a resident of Shivajinagar, Suhas Bhalchandra Gosavi, a resident of Aundh, Anjali Shashank Nivsarkar,a resident of Aundh, Bhalchandra Chintaman Dev, a resident of Wakad and Ishwar Khushaldas Punjabi, a resident of Laxmi Road, Pune.  

According to the police, the five accused who were working as office-bearers of Ishan and Ankita Cooperative Housing Societies, hatched a conspiracy and committed irregularities of crores of rupees by taking housing societies and plot holders into confidence.

Bhale’s co-accused Suhas Bhalchandra Gosavi was also going to be arrested. However, since he took ill, he was admitted to Sassoon Hospital for treatment. The action was taken by the Economic Offences Wing of the Pimpri Chinchwad police.