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The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has prepared a proposal to attach 33 properties belonging to the Sinhgad Institute in Maharashtra to recover Rs 295 crore in unpaid property taxes. The proposal has been forwarded to the Additional Municipal Commissioner for administrative approval. Once clearance is granted, the civic body will formally record the tax liabilities in the ownership documents of these properties, paving the way for potential auction proceedings upon completion of legal formalities.
According to the PMC property tax department, the Rs 295 crore arrears had accumulated across 33 institute properties up to August 2026. Civic officials stated that despite repeated notices and payment reminders, the educational group failed to clear its dues. The properties identified for attachment primarily include administrative buildings, workshops, and other campus facilities.
Earlier Sealing Drives Failed to Recover Dues
Ravi Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of the PMC property tax department, confirmed that the department has proposed amending ownership records for all 33 properties to reflect the pending tax liabilities formally. Further enforcement action will begin immediately after the Additional Municipal Commissioner approves the file. The civic administration aims to secure the substantial revenue owed by the institution through strict legal measures.
This is not the first time the municipal corporation has initiated recovery action against the Sinhgad Institute. In earlier phases, the property tax department sealed approximately 10 to 12 properties of the group, including eight shops, in an effort to compel payment. However, those sealing drives failed to yield the desired financial recovery, and the institute continued to default on its obligations. With annual notices going unanswered, officials decided to bring 33 properties under a consolidated attachment process.
Safeguards Planned for Student Academics
Civic officials are also evaluating the auction of the attached properties as a viable option to recover the outstanding amount. According to the department, if the attachment process advances and mandatory legal procedures are fulfilled, the properties could be put up for auction. A final decision on auctioning will depend on administrative approval and statutory clearances, while raising important questions regarding ongoing academic operations and institutional liabilities tied to those premises.
The PMC has assured that students’ education will not be disrupted during the recovery drive. Officials stated that until the properties formally come under municipal ownership, efforts will be made to protect students from any inconvenience or academic loss. The department further noted that if the properties are eventually auctioned, the new owners will decide on the educational responsibilities associated with the premises, making coordination between the institute, the civic body, and prospective buyers crucial.
Financial Crisis Deepens for Educational Group
The tax recovery move comes amid mounting financial turmoil for the Sinhgad Institute. The Maharashtra government recently decided to take over the management of 32 educational institutions run by the group. Additionally, non-payment of salaries over an extended period has triggered repeated protests by staff members on campus demanding their pending wages.
Against this backdrop, the Rs 295 crore property tax default adds significant pressure on the cash-strapped institution. While the attachment proposal currently awaits administrative sign-off, the pace of subsequent legal action will determine whether the civic body moves toward auctioning the properties. Throughout the process, protecting student academics, resolving staff salary arrears, and settling property liabilities will remain central concerns.
