Veteran Marathi film actress Usha Chavan on May 17 sought justice in a 26-year-old land dispute in Pune, by reaching Anand Ashram at Tembhi Naka in Thane. Her presence prompted Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde to order an interim stay on a controversial Transferable Development Rights (TDR) transaction linked to the property.
In a symbolic protest, Usha Chavan placed her lifetime achievement awards before the portrait of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe at the ashram. She narrated her grievance to Shiv Sainiks present there. They forthwith informed actor-producer Mangesh Desai, who then contacted Eknath Shinde.
The dispute pertains to a plot in Dhankawadi area of Pune. The court recently reportedly recognised the claim of Usha Chavan’s son over the land. However, a Pune-based private developer allegedly managed to get the land’s TDR registered in its own name. Shinde spoke to Usha Chavan over a telephone call and assured her that injustice would not be allowed.