Legal Row: Sonali Bendre, Goldie Behl Sued Over Pune Land Dispute

New Delhi, April 3, 2026: A legal controversy has erupted in Maharashtra involving Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre and her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl. A local farmer from the Pune district has dragged the celebrity couple to court over a land dispute in the Maval taluka.

The case highlights the complexities of land ownership and tenancy laws in rural India, with both parties leveling serious allegations against each other. Here is a detailed breakdown of the dispute.

The Core of the Dispute: Ancestral Claims vs. Recent Purchase

The legal battle revolves around a 30-guntha plot (approximately 32,000 square feet) located in Uksan village, within the Maval taluka of Pune district.

The Farmer’s Allegations

The lawsuit was filed by Chandrakant Balu Shinde (50) and his mother Kamalbai (75). Their primary arguments are:

• Protected Tenancy: The Shinde family claims they have been cultivating this specific plot as “protected tenants” since the 1940s. Under the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, protected tenants have significant rights that prevent the land from being sold without their consent or legal termination of their tenancy.
• Illegal Record Removal: The plaintiffs allege that their names were illegally removed from the official revenue records in the 1980s without any prior notice or legal proceedings.
• Void Transactions: According to the suit, the original landowners sold the property to a local individual in 2012, who then sold a portion of it to Goldie Behl in March 2021. The Shinde family argues these sales are “illegal and void” because their pre-existing tenancy rights were never formally ended.

Allegations of Intimidation

The complaint goes beyond property papers, accusing the couple of using “mafia-style” intimidation. The Shinde family alleges that on December 14, 2025, Bendre and Behl arrived at the site with heavy machinery and workers to begin unauthorized construction. They further claim that local police, allegedly influenced by the celebrities, threatened to frame the family in false theft cases if they interfered with the work.

The Defense: Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl’s Response

Sonali Bendre and her legal team have vehemently denied all charges, labeling the lawsuit as a baseless attempt at character assassination and financial gain.

• No Documented Link: Sonali Bendre has clarified that her name does not appear on any of the official land purchase documents or government records related to the Maval property.
• Extortion Claims: Her lawyer, Raju Shinde, stated that the case is a “false orchestrated move” intended solely to extort money from the celebrity couple.
• Previous Dismissals: The defense argues that the complainant had previously approached various administrative authorities, including the Tehsildar and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), but his claims were dismissed at those levels.
• Ownership History: The defense maintains that as per a 1965 ruling by the then-Tehsildar, the Shinde family’s ancestors were not recognized as owners or protected tenants of the land in question.

Current Legal Status

The civil lawsuit was filed in the Vadgaon Maval court. The plaintiffs are seeking a permanent injunction to prevent any construction or third-party interest creation on the land.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 24, 2026 (with some reports suggesting an earlier date of April 20). The judiciary will now examine the decades-old revenue records and the legality of the 2021 sale deed to determine whether the “protected tenancy” rights still hold weight in the present day.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• Location: Uksan Village, Maval, Pune.
• Land Size: 30 Gunthas.
• Parties involved: Chandrakant Shinde (Farmer) vs. Goldie Behl and Sonali Bendre.
• Primary Conflict: Alleged violation of historical tenancy rights vs. claims of lawful purchase and extortion