Why Maharashtra Is Auditing Church and Missionary Land Across the State

Maharashtra, July 9, 2026: The Maharashtra government's decision to conduct a statewide audit of land owned by churches and Christian missionary organisations has sparked widespread debate. While the government says the exercise is aimed at uncovering illegal land transactions and protecting public records, many within the Christian community are watching the development closely.

The audit follows an alleged ₹300 crore land fraud in Nashik and will examine ownership records, transfers and transactions involving church properties dating back to the British era. Officials insist the exercise is intended to identify irregularities rather than target any religious community.

What Triggered the Audit?

The state government's decision was prompted by an alleged land scam involving approximately six acres of land in Nashik, estimated to be worth around ₹300 crore.

According to police, the land legally belongs to the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association (NDTA). However, investigators allege that another body, the Nashik Diocesan Council (NDC), dealt with the property as though it were the legal owner, allegedly using forged documents to lease the land to government departments and sell parts of it to private individuals over several decades.

The alleged fraud came to light after an investigation revealed that government agencies, including the Nashik Police Commissionerate, had been paying rent under lease agreements allegedly executed by individuals without legal authority over the property.

The matter gained political attention when BJP MLA Devyani Pharande raised it in the Maharashtra Assembly, urging the government to investigate whether similar disputes existed elsewhere in the state.

Responding to the issue, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a comprehensive audit of church and missionary-owned land across Maharashtra, with the exercise expected to be completed within three months.

What Will the Audit Examine?

The statewide audit will be carried out by divisional-level committees headed by the respective Divisional Commissioners.

These committees will include officials from the Revenue Department, the Settlement Commissioner's office, the Inspector General of Registration and the police.

Their task will be to verify land ownership records, examine historical property documents and review land transfers made both before and after Independence.

The government has also directed the committees to investigate allegations of illegal encroachments, forged ownership records and transactions that may have violated existing land laws.

Officials have indicated that the review will include properties acquired during the British colonial period, as well as land obtained through later purchases, donations and grants.

How Much Land Do Churches Own?

There is currently no official database that records the total amount of land owned by churches and Christian organisations in Maharashtra or across India.

Unlike some religious institutions that function under a single administrative body, Christian properties are held by hundreds of legally independent entities.

The Catholic Church, Protestant denominations, dioceses, parishes, educational trusts, charitable societies and hospitals each own property in their own names under Indian law.

Many of these properties have been acquired over several centuries through private donations, direct purchases, grants made during the Portuguese administration in coastal Konkan, British-era land allocations and later acquisitions for schools, hospitals, churches, orphanages and charitable institutions.

According to the 2011 Census, Christians make up around 0.96 per cent of Maharashtra's population, numbering approximately 10.8 lakh people. The community is largely concentrated in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune, Ahmednagar and parts of the Konkan region.

Why Is the Nashik Case Significant?

The Nashik case stands out because one of the alleged victims is the Maharashtra government itself.

Police claim that since 1990, the Nashik Police Commissionerate occupied part of the disputed land under lease agreements. Although the Commissioner's office shifted to another location in 2014, several police offices continue to function from the property.

Investigators allege that government departments paid rent for years to individuals who did not possess legal ownership of the land.

If proven in court, the case would represent a significant example of fraudulent property transactions involving public funds.

The police estimate that the alleged fraud resulted in losses of around ₹300 crore.

What Happens if Irregularities Are Found?

The Maharashtra government has sought to reassure religious institutions that organisations possessing legally valid ownership documents have nothing to fear from the audit.

Officials have stated that the purpose of the exercise is to distinguish legitimate ownership from cases involving forged records, illegal transfers or unauthorised sales.

Where irregularities are established, legal proceedings may be initiated against those responsible.

In cases where disputed land has already been developed or public infrastructure exists on the property, the government has said that future action will depend on legal advice and the specific circumstances of each case.

Concerns Within the Christian Community

Although the government has presented the audit as a legal and administrative exercise, its scale has attracted attention because it covers church and missionary properties across the entire state.

Many Christian organisations are expected to cooperate with the verification process while also seeking assurances that legitimate institutions will not face unnecessary scrutiny or disruption.

Legal experts note that church properties often involve historical documents dating back over a century, making verification a complex process requiring careful examination of land records, trust deeds and revenue documents.

The audit is therefore likely to be one of the most extensive reviews of Christian institutional landholdings ever undertaken in Maharashtra.

A Significant Administrative Exercise

The statewide audit represents an unprecedented effort to examine church and missionary land records across Maharashtra.

Whether it uncovers isolated instances of fraud or reveals wider irregularities remains to be seen. For now, the government's stated position is that the exercise is intended to ensure transparency, protect lawful ownership and investigate allegations arising from the Nashik case, while legitimate property holders with valid documentation should not be adversely affected.

Courtesy Indian Express

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