Mumbai | Hello Mumbai News Desk
Within days of Hello Mumbai News publishing its exclusive investigative report on 15 July 2026 titled “MAHADA Joint CEO Vandana Suryavanshi Faces Departmental Inquiry Over ₹49.31 Crore Revenue Loss; Assistant Town Planner Prakash Mule Under Scanner,” the issue gained significant public and administrative attention. Following the developments, the Maharashtra Government initiated action, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the transfer of Vandana Suryavanshi through an official government order.
A copy of the transfer order is available with Hello Mumbai News. The development marks a significant administrative step in a matter that has sparked widespread discussion over accountability and governance in the state administration.
Maharashtra Government Issues Ultimatum to Senior Official Vandana Suryavanshi Over Joining Delay
MUMBAI: The Revenue and Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra has issued a stern warning to senior official Vandana Suryavanshi, directing her to report to duty immediately or face strict disciplinary action under civil service rules.
Unilateral Release and Failure to Report
According to an official order signed by Deputy Secretary Mahesh Ashokrao Varudkar, Suryavanshi—who was serving as the Additional District Collector (Selection Grade) and Joint Chief Officer of the Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board (MHADA)—was unilaterally relieved of her duties on the afternoon of July 17, 2026.
The state government had recalled her services to the Revenue Department, directing her to report to the Mantralaya in Mumbai as the Additional Joint Secretary (Revenue, Registration, and Stamp Duty) by the afternoon of July 18, 2026. However, official records indicate that she has failed to report to her new post.
Violation of Conduct Rules
The government notice notes that her failure to join the department constitutes a direct violation of Rule 23 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979
Final Deadline and Warning
The administration has issued a final deadline, ordering Suryavanshi to report to the department by July 19, 2026
The notice categorically warns that failure to comply with this final directive will result in immediate disciplinary proceedings initiated against her under the provisions of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979
Brief Fact of the Case:
RTI Activist Sanket Nalawade’s Pursuit Yields Results; Government Acts Following Issue Raised by MLA Sunil Prabhu in Assembly.
​A departmental inquiry has been initiated against Vandana Suryavanshi, the current Additional Collector and Joint Chief Executive Officer of MHADA, following orders from Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The inquiry pertains to a decision made during her tenure as the Stamp District Collector of Mumbai, which allegedly caused a staggering loss of ₹49.31 crores to the state exchequer.
​According to the departmental inquiry order, while serving as the Stamp District Collector, Suryavanshi was required to determine the market value of a property in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Act. However, she allegedly executed an incorrect valuation. This negligence led to a direct loss of ₹49.31 crores to the government, leading to charges of dereliction of duty, misuse of power, and conduct unbecoming of a public servant. The order explicitly states that her actions violated the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules.
