India, Nov. 16 -- The Maharashtra animal husbandry department on Friday lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against 26 persons, including the acting joint sub-registrar (Class II), Haveli-17, over the alleged illegal sale of a 6.32 hectares (15-acre 32-guntha) government plot in Tathawade near Wakad. The land-valued at nearly Rs.750 crore-was transferred through a private deal for just Rs.33 crore, despite being classified as non-transferable government property requiring prior state approval for any sale or alienation.

The 6.32 hectares of government land, Survey No. 20, Mulshi taluka, is owned by the animal husbandry department since 1945-46. While a registered sale deed was executed using outdated 7/12 extracts and old revenue rec...