Maharashtra forms 2 task forces on stamp duty fraud and illegal mining
Synopsis
Maharashtra is setting up two independent task forces — one to audit five years of stamp duty registrations under the Accountant General, another to tackle illegal mineral mining. A single clerk allegedly caused ₹13.91 crore in revenue loss by registering 941 documents in 10 days, making this more than routine reform — it is a direct response to documented fraud.
Key Takeaways
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced two independent task forces on 25 June in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly .
The stamp duty task force, operating under the Accountant General , will probe all adjudication cases from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 .
Senior Clerk Rajkumar Dahifale registered over 941 documents in 10 days , allegedly causing a revenue loss of ₹13.91 crore ; he has been suspended.
A dedicated task force will be set up to combat illegal minor mineral excavation across Maharashtra.
The Gadchiroli District Collector has been directed to invoke the MPDA Act against illegal mining offenders.
All District Collectors will be mandated to hold monthly review meetings of district-level mining committees.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday, 25 June announced the creation of two independent task forces — one to probe alleged irregularities in the stamp duty registration process and another to crack down on illegal minor mineral excavation across the state. The twin announcements were made by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule during Question Hour in the State Legislative Assembly in Mumbai.
Stamp Duty Probe: What the Task Force Will Do
Responding to a question raised by MLA Jitendra Awhad and a supplementary query by MLA Nana Patole, Bawankule said a state-level inquiry into alleged malpractices in stamp duty registrations will be handed to the Accountant General (AG) office rather than conducted internally by the Revenue Department. The independent task force will operate under the direct guidance of the AG, with the government supplying manpower, resources, and funding.
The AG's investigation will cover all stamp duty adjudication cases processed between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026 — a five-year window. Bawankule warned that officials found in violation of the Stamp Act face suspension, criminal charges, and strict disciplinary action.
The Dahifale Case: A Trigger for Reform
The minister cited a specific case that appears to have accelerated the decision. Senior Clerk Rajkumar Dahifale allegedly registered over 941 documents within just 10 days of assuming charge as a Stamp Officer — registrations that reportedly violated the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, causing an estimated revenue loss of approximately ₹13.91 crore.
A police case has already been registered, Dahifale has been suspended, and the government is moving toward dismissal pending the final inquiry report. Bawankule also said new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and administrative orders will be issued to ensure criminal cases are filed against any official found engaging in illegal adjudication. He underlined that while the stamp adjudication process is quasi-judicial in nature, it must strictly conform to the Stamp Act.
Illegal Mining: Task Force and Tougher Action
In a separate discussion on illegal minor mineral mining — raised by MLA Nana Patole with MLA Bhaskar Jadhav participating — Bawankule announced a dedicated task force to combat what he described as a persistent menace across the state.
Addressing a specific delayed case at Sakhar Phata in Gadchiroli, the minister acknowledged lapses in securing timely permission to file a criminal complaint. To prevent recurrence, the Gadchiroli District Collector has been directed to book perpetrators under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act — a provision typically reserved for habitual offenders and organised crime.
District Collectors to Hold Monthly Mining Reviews
Under the Central Government's mining scheme, District Collectors serve as chairpersons of district-level mining committees. Bawankule said fresh directives will be issued to all Collectors making it mandatory to hold monthly review meetings to monitor and curb illegal excavation activity. This comes amid longstanding concerns that district-level oversight has been inconsistent, allowing illegal mining operations to persist.
Both task forces are expected to be constituted shortly, with their terms of reference and timelines to be notified by the Revenue Department.
Point of View
Not just individual misconduct. Routing the stamp duty probe through the Accountant General rather than an internal Revenue Department inquiry is a meaningful structural choice, but its credibility will depend on whether the AG is given genuine independence and a public reporting mandate. On illegal mining, invoking the MPDA Act — a law designed for organised crime — in Gadchiroli signals escalating state intent, but monthly review meetings have been ordered before without consistent follow-through. The real test is whether these task forces produce prosecutions, not just reports.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Maharashtra setting up a task force for stamp duty registrations?
The Maharashtra government is setting up an independent task force under the Accountant General to investigate alleged malpractices in stamp duty registrations following specific cases of irregularities, including one where a clerk registered over 941 documents in 10 days, causing an estimated revenue loss of ₹13.91 crore. The probe will cover all adjudication cases from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026.
What action has been taken against Senior Clerk Rajkumar Dahifale?
Rajkumar Dahifale has been suspended and a police case registered against him after he allegedly registered over 941 documents within 10 days of taking charge as a Stamp Officer, reportedly in violation of the MRTP Act, 1966. The government is pursuing dismissal once the final inquiry report is received.
What is the Maharashtra government doing to stop illegal mining?
The government is constituting a dedicated task force to curb illegal minor mineral excavation. The Gadchiroli District Collector has been directed to invoke the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act against offenders, and all District Collectors have been asked to hold mandatory monthly review meetings of district-level mining committees.
Who raised these issues in the Maharashtra Assembly?
MLA Jitendra Awhad raised the stamp duty irregularities issue during Question Hour on 25 June, with MLA Nana Patole adding a supplementary query. The illegal mining matter was raised by MLA Nana Patole, with MLA Bhaskar Jadhav participating in the discussion.
What penalties will officials face if found guilty of stamp duty fraud?
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that officials found violating the Stamp Act will face suspension, criminal charges, and strict disciplinary action. New SOPs and administrative orders will also be issued to ensure criminal cases are filed against any official engaged in illegal adjudication.
