Coming close on the heels of filing of FIR against Chaudhary family, the administration conducted first ever survey of Futala Lake (Telangkhedi Lake), on Monday, in order to demarcate its area. Officials from City Survey Office no.3 carried out the job of lake spread, adjoining land measurement and catchment area to map its boundary. The survey came after allegations that Chaudhary family have allegedly encroached upon the land earmarked for Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU). Following the orders of Guardian Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, Public Works Department (PWD) submitted an application to City Survey Office to measure the lake, while MAFSU requested for the survey of catchment area.

 

The measurement process followed the issuance of K-prat, it will define exact legal boundaries of the lake and its catchment area, ensuring the removal of encroachments and official reclamation by PWD and MAFSU respectively. Futala Lake is earmarked in Development Plan (DP) of Nagpur city under Khasra no. 18 in Mouza Telangkhedi and it's area is 57.30 acres and on record its ownership rests with PWD. The catchment area on the lake's northern side, comprising Khasra N0. 19 and 20, covers 6.12 acres and belongs to MAFSU. As per official note, a total 63.42 acres land area of Futala Lake was measured in a day long exercise. Bawankule had directed administration to take stringent action against encroachment on Futala Lake catchment area. Officials of PWD and MAFSU were directed to reclaim the Government land and verify the allegation and thereafter take necessary legal action thereon. Only during last week, MAFSU had lodged FIR naming ex-corporator Kamlesh Chaudhary, his mother and brother, alleging that they have encroached on Futala Lake, by dumping soil and other material and also on the catchment area earmarked to the varsity.

 

The FIR also states that the Chaudhary family had carried out illegal construction and even laid out a lawn that was being monetised by letting the same for functions. Jwala Jambuwantrao Dhote, President, Anyay Nivaran Manch, was first one to lodge complaint against alleged encroachment on Futala Lake in 2022. She claimed that illegal constructions were allegedly carried out by former corporator Kamlesh Chaudhary and his family. As per her complaint, a lawn was supposedly developed by filling in a section of the lake and its catchment area. Chaudhary family as per Dhote's claim initially constructed a residential building within the catchment area in 2022 and added another adjacent structure a few months ago. Vikas Thakre, MLA, West Nagpur, and President, Nagpur District (City) Congress Committee, Thakre took up the matter and formally lodged a complaint with Guardian Minister. During a meeting held on February 12, 2025, Bawankule pulled up officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), MAFSU, and PWD for failing to act against the encroachments. He directed them to demolish illegal lawn, restore the lake within three days, and reclaim catchment area. Both PWD and MAFSU have already issued notices to Chaudhary family and formally informed NMC and Police Department. Acting on MAFSU’s complaint, Gittikhadan Police have registered an offence against Kamlesh Chaudhary, his mother Meena, and his younger brother Mukesh under relevant sections of BNS, Environment Protection Act, and MRTP Act. 

 

 

Following Dhote’s complaint in 2023, a restaurant constructed illegally by Chaudhary family adjacent to lawn was demolished. At that time, an offence was also registered against Meena Chaudhary for constructing first residential building without legal land ownership and sanctioned building plan. 

 

 

As the City Survey team arrived at Futala Lake, some people from nearby area tried to create hurdles in the official work. The accompanying team of Ambazari Police Station took the people into preventive custody.bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb