Pune | An FIR has been registered at Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station in Pune against Sinhgad Technical Education Society founder Maruti Navale and five others over allegations of financial fraud involving unpaid salaries exceeding ₹5.06 crore. The complainants, 27 teachers employed by the institution, alleged that they were denied their full salaries for several years and were allegedly threatened when they demanded their pending dues.
According to police, the case was registered following a complaint filed by a 45-year-old teacher employed at Sinhgad Spring Dale School in Ambegaon. Besides Maruti Navale, those named in the FIR include Sunanda Maruti Navale, Rachana Navale (Ashtekar), Rohit Maruti Navale, members of the society’s board of trustees, accounts department officials Sanjay More and Sharad Jarade, along with other trustees.
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The complaint alleges that between April 2020 and the present, the 27 teachers continued to perform their duties despite receiving either no salary or only partial payments on certain occasions. The teachers claimed that whenever they sought payment of their pending wages, they were repeatedly assured that the dues would be cleared.
The complainants further alleged that when they persistently demanded their salaries, some of them were threatened with termination from service, while others were allegedly subjected to criminal intimidation.
The primary complainant has claimed unpaid salary dues of ₹19.36 lakh. The remaining 26 teachers have collectively claimed outstanding salaries amounting to ₹4.87 crore, taking the total alleged financial loss to more than ₹5.06 crore.
Sinhgad Technical Education Society operates several educational institutions across Maharashtra, including engineering, pharmacy, law, arts, science and commerce colleges, employing a large number of teaching and non-teaching staff.
The complaint also states that the institution has previously faced criticism over delays in salary payments. Employees from various institutions reportedly staged protests in the past over unpaid wages. It further refers to an earlier incident in which a security guard allegedly died by suicide after reportedly not receiving his salary for an extended period, leading to a separate criminal case against members of the management.
Police have registered the FIR and initiated the investigation. Authorities said the accused will be summoned for questioning, while salary records, financial documents, accounting records and other relevant evidence will be examined as part of the probe.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected. The allegations contained in the FIR are currently under investigation, and their veracity will be determined upon completion of the inquiry.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
