Even after a year of CBD Belapur police taking official note of the missing outward register from the Joint Registrar’s office, the investigations into the whereabouts of the document continue to remain a mystery. Moreover, those responsible for dereliction of duty have also not been identified.

“If government documents are missing, a report is made as per the rules and a record is made at the local police station,” Sandesh Reware, senior police inspector, CBD Belapur police station said. "We were informed and have done the needful."

The fact about the missing register came to light when the Kharghar-based Jal Vayu Defence Enclave (JVDE) CHS Ltd received the deemed conveyance order on 14-01-2022.

As per documents available, the JTR’s office issued the deemed conveyance order on 07-05-2021, however, it reached JVDE office in Kharghar only on 14-01-2022, an inexplicable delay of over eight months.

“There is reason to believe the order was issued in haste as the JVDE Managing Committee had sought a vigilance inquiry against the JTR’s office. The order was backdated to make it appear that the order was passed in May 2021,” Adv Mahendra Ratna, who represented the JVDE members before the High Court said.

“You read between the lines and you know what happened there. It is imperative that a CBI investigation be conducted so that the fraud and harassment that the common man has been forced to suffer at the hands of the JTR’s office is stopped,” he said.

Failing to get satisfactory answers, 11 members of JVDE society approached the Bombay High Court. The court vide its order dated March 2023 directed the Commissioner Cooperatives and Registrar of Societies (CCRS) to investigate the matter and file a report.

Subsequently, Sangita Dongre, the incumbent JTR filed a report in August 2023, however, the Pune-based CCRS directed Dongre to rework the report. It is during the investigation by Dongre that the fact about the missing register was discovered.

According to Dongre, the JTR’s office was located at Raigad Bhawan but later shifted to the CBD station complex. According to Dongre, the register is believed to have gone missing during the shifting.

“Apart from this, nothing else was found missing. If anything comes to light, it will be investigated and information will be obtained,” Dongre added.