Abrama villagers accuse Surat philanthropists Savanis for land forgery

Surat : The residents of Abrama village have strongly opposed the alleged fraudulent activities of Vallabh Savani and his grandson Mitul Savani, well-known philanthropists of Surat. The duo has been accused of misusing government influence and forging documents to acquire land belonging to the Amrishwar Mahadev and Ambamata temple trust.

Local residents, including Cherish Prakash Patel, Sanket Patel, Mehul Patel, and Bharat Patel, have formally lodged complaints with the Surat Collector, demanding strict legal action against the Savani family. The case has sparked outrage as the villagers allege that the land acquisition was done through deceit and manipulation of official records.

Allegations of Forged Documents and Political Influence

Vallabh Savani, father of renowned philanthropist Mahesh Savani, and his son Mitul Savani, allegedly created false orders and forged documents to register the temple trust land, which includes Survey Numbers 160 and 174, under their control. The villagers claim that despite their objections, the land was registered using political backing, ignoring the concerns of local leaders and residents.

The controversy deepened as the Savani family allegedly collaborated with temple priest Bhiren Girjashankar Vaidya to manipulate trust records. This move has led to growing resentment among the residents, who believe that the Savani family has tarnished their philanthropic reputation by engaging in illegal land dealings.

Court Orders Ignored, Illegal Construction Continues

Despite two cases filed by the villagers, the Savani family allegedly ignored court orders that directed a status quo on the land. The Gujarat Revenue Commission had issued orders (No. 84/2023 and 85/2023) to halt construction activities, yet the Savani family reportedly proceeded with illegal building work by leveraging their influence over government officials.

The situation has escalated to a point where villagers fear a major confrontation, as emotions run high over what they describe as an outright violation of religious and legal norms. The residents claim that the Savani family initially assured them via a notarized affidavit that no construction would take place but later reneged on their promise.

Encroachment on the Tapi River Bed Raises Environmental Concerns

Apart from the temple trust land dispute, the villagers also allege that Vallabh and Mahesh Savani encroached upon the Tapi river bed to build a school. Reports suggest that false assessments were made in the Abrama village panchayat to justify the construction, causing damage to government land and leading to financial losses for the state.

This alleged encroachment has also resulted in severe environmental consequences. Villagers claim that the illegal structures have altered the natural flow of water, leading to monsoon flooding in agricultural fields, thereby impacting farmers financially. Past allegations against the Savani family, including cases of electricity theft, add to the growing distrust among the locals.

Demand for Judicial Inquiry Intensifies

With mounting evidence and increasing public outrage, the residents of Abrama are now calling for a judicial inquiry into the Savani family’s land acquisitions and environmental violations. They believe that a detailed investigation will uncover deeper corruption and fraudulent practices.

As pressure builds, all eyes are now on the Surat administration to take decisive action against the alleged wrongdoings.