Last Updated:
Sonali Bendre denies wrongdoing, saying her name appears on no official land documents and the case is an attempt to extort money.
Bendre and Behl allegedly showed up at the disputed plot last December with workers and heavy machinery to begin construction.
A Pune farmer and his elderly mother have taken Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre and her filmmaker husband Goldie Behl to civil court over a 30-guntha plot in Maval — and the allegations are serious.
Who Is Suing Sonali Bendre & Why?
Chandrakant Balu Shinde (50) and his 75-year-old mother Kamalbai, residents of Uksan village in Maval taluka, Pune district, have filed a civil lawsuit against the celebrity couple and two others.
Their claim: the Shinde family has been cultivating this 30-guntha (over 32,000 sq ft) land as “protected tenants” since the 1940s — and the sale of that land to Goldie Behl was illegal because their tenancy rights were never formally extinguished.
The dispute began when the original owners allegedly sold the land to a local individual in 2012, who subsequently sold a portion of it to Goldie Behl in March 2021. The Shindes argue those transactions were void because their pre-existing rights were simply ignored.
What Happened At The Plot In December 2025?
This isn’t just a paperwork fight. The Shinde family alleged that on December 14, 2025, Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl arrived at the site with workers and heavy machinery to begin unauthorised construction.
The family says that visit turned confrontational, with the couple allegedly arguing with them directly — an allegation that features prominently in the civil petition.
How Did The Shindes’ Names Get Removed From Land Records?
This is where the case gets legally complex. The family claims their names were illegally struck off revenue records back in the 1980s — without any notice or due process.
Shinde alleges that forged documents were used to override his family’s claim. Under Maharashtra’s tenancy laws, a protected tenant’s rights cannot simply be erased by a private sale, making this a critical point the civil court will have to examine.
Did The Police Help? The Family Says Yes — But Not Them
The Shindes allege that the couple used their social influence and local police connections to pressure them off the land.
The dispute was initially raised with police authorities, but due to its civil nature, Shinde has now filed a petition in the Vadgaon Maval Civil Court seeking a stay on the property.
What Has Sonali Bendre Said?
Bendre has denied any wrongdoing firmly. She maintains that her name is absent from official government documents and land transaction records, and characterises the allegations as unfounded and intended for financial gain.
Her lawyer, Raju Shinde, went further. He claimed the complaint is an attempt by the farmer to gain publicity and financial benefit by maligning the actress and her husband.
He also pointed out that the complainant had previously appealed to several government bodies, including the Tehsildar and the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), but those appeals were dismissed.
Where Does The Case Stand Now?
The suit has been filed before the Civil Court at Vadgaon Maval. The next hearing is scheduled for April 20, 2026. The Shinde family is seeking a stay on the land — meaning no construction or possession changes until the court decides.
The Bigger Picture: Why Does This Matter Beyond Bollywood?
Cases like these shine a light on a long-standing problem in Maharashtra’s rural belt — the vulnerability of kul (tenant) farmers whose names disappear from 7/12 extracts over decades, often without their knowledge, leaving them exposed when powerful buyers enter the picture.
Whether or not the allegations against Bendre and Behl hold up in court, the lawsuit raises uncomfortable questions about how celebrity wealth and land acquisitions intersect with the rights of small farmers near Pune’s rapidly urbanising outskirts.
April 03, 2026, 07:47 IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
