Tehsildar fires four rounds in air after illegal sand lifters try to attack revenue department employees in Jalna

Time of India

12-05-2025

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a significant incident near Shahagad village in Ambad taluka,
tehsildar Vijay Chavan
discharged four rounds in the air when
sand mafia
members attempted to assault revenue department workers with a tractor on Sunday morning.
The confrontation took place around 7am along the Godavari riverbed, within the jurisdiction of Ambad's Gondi police station.Surprisingly, following the shooting incident, the accused approached the Gevrai police station to file a complaint against the tehsildar.
The Jalna police then confiscated the weapon and forwarded it for forensic examination.The process of establishing the sequence of events required nearly six hours and necessitated involvement from senior Jalna police officers and district administration. Subsequently, authorities filed an FIR incorporating sections 303 (2) (theft), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duty), and 3 (5) (common intention) against the sand mafia members. Additional charges under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, were also invoked.According to Ambad SDPO Vishal Khambe, police teams are pursuing the suspected sand mafia members. Senior police officials also questioned the revenue department's decision to conduct operations without informing the local police. Revenue officials justified their actions, noting that the area's police station in-charge was unavailable due to leave.Chavan told TOI, "We even dialled 112 to seek police assistance but we did not get any until we raised the issue with the higher-ups in the police department." He said his revenue team reached the riverbed to address illegal sand extraction activities. From Shahagad bridge, Chavan noticed approximately 15 individuals loading sand into three tractors, who fled upon seeing the officials.When the team attempted to detain one tractor driver, he assaulted a team member and tried to escape. During pursuit, the accused attempted to strike the tehsildar with the tractor. Simultaneously, several men carrying sticks approached and threatened Chavan, making additional attempts to strike him.In response, Chavan discharged four rounds in the air using his licensed personal firearm, causing the accused to retreat. Authorities identified one tractor driver from Gevrai in Beed district. Three unidentified accomplices escaped with one tractor, while the revenue team seized two tractors and trolleys, valued at Rs 11.1 lakh.