By: Express News ServicePune | Updated: September 27, 2025 09:59 PM IST 3 min readIn his complaint, Raju Shetti alleged that the trust had used a smokescreen of financial insolvency to ask for permission to sell the land to a private company. (Source: File)Former MP and farm leader Raju Shetti on Saturday opposed the sale and redevelopment of 3.5 acres of Seth Hirachand Nemchand Jain Boarding (HND Boarding) in Model Colony Pune. Shetty, who addressed the media in Pune, said any plans to redevelop or demolish the temple would be opposed. One of the trustees, Chakor Gandhi, who had earlier signed the deed of sale, said he would ask the Trust to reconsider the decision.Located in Model Colony Area of Pune, HND Boarding is a well known educational landmark in the city. Catering to the Jain community, the Model Colony campus has an old Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavir. HND Boarding’s canteen is open to students of all communities. The hostel is used by many Jain students who come to Pune to study.However, the Jain community has objected to the trustees’ decision to sell the land and allow redevelopment of the hostel and the temple. The trust has handed over the land to a Pune based builder for development. On Saturday, Shetti visited the site and addressed the media on the matter. “The land was donated to the Jain community and was to be used for educational purposes. The decision of the trust to sell the land to a private builder is wrong and has to be opposed,” the former MP said. Shetti had filed a complaint with Chaturshringi Police Station on Saturday naming the trustees and seeking for action against them.In his complaint, Shetti alleged that the trust had used a smokescreen of financial insolvency to ask for permission to sell the land to a private company. The trust alleged that claims of financial insolvency were not true. “The sequence of events needs to be investigated thoroughly to understand why the trust decided to sell the property,” he said.The sale of land and subsequent re-development of boards by this builder had earlier been met with protests by the Jain community.Objections were raised that the redevelopment would rob the trust of its charitable nature, for which it was formed.Chakor Gandhi told The Indian Express that he will request the trust to reconsider its decision. “Yes, I have signed the sale deed – but today I was at the meeting and felt the land should remain with the community,” he said. Gandhi said he was part of the process which took the decision, but will now ask the trust to reconsider the decision.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:puneRaju Shetti