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| Major Arun Prakash Ambathy (Rtd., Indian Army) with other residents of Auroville and social activists at the District Police Office, Villupuram |
Shri Arun Prakash Ambathy, a retired major of the Indian Army residing in Auroville, has complained of abuse of official position by senior officials of the Auroville Foundation in an exchange of 2.5 acres of Auro Orchard land of Auroville with a private landowner in 2024 in a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Viluppuram, on 5th March 2026. He was accompained by many other Auroville residents and social activists.
The complaint informs that the exchanged Auro Orchard land, which is located along the highway from Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu to Puducherry, was valued at Rs. 16 per square foot, whereas portions of the land were acquired from the Auroville Foundation by the National Highways Authority of India for four-laning their highway at Rs. 125 per square foot 15 years earlier, in 2009.
The complaint pointed out that when the exchange was carried out, "the prevailing market value in this locality was approximately ₹3000 per square foot, while the government guideline value was approximately ₹500 per square foot." On the basis of this data, it works out that the Auro Orchard land was valued at just 3% of the government guideline value, and when compared to the market value, it was just half a percent (0.5%).
"Valuation exercise was conducted only for the private party’s land and building and valued at approximately ₹3,97,00,000. No corresponding valuation was conducted for the 2.50 acres of Auro Orchard land, despite its superior highway location". The value of the Auroville land continued to remain recorded at ₹17,50,000.
The complaint also states that the exchanged land, as subdivided residential plots, is "reportedly being quoted in the range of approximately ₹6000 per square foot".
The complaint also alleged violation of General Financial Rules, 2017 (Rule 309) and disregard of Ministry's dirction in the exchange process. "By email dated 29.03.2023 (Ref: No. 2-13/2020-UU), the Ministry of Education specifically drew attention to Rule 309 while commenting upon the minutes of the 61st and 62nd meetings of the Governing Board and reminded the Auroville Foundation administration of the requirement of prior approval. 33. Despite such communication and prior objections, the land exchanges continued."
Submitting that these "matters cannot be effectively enquired into without a full-fledged police investigation, including seizure of records and examination of officials", Shri Arun Prakash Ambathy has requested that
a) A case be registered for offences under BNS Sections 61 and 316 and Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;
b) The matter be investigated by a competent specialised agency such as DVAC / CBCID;
c) Relevant registration, valuation, and Auroville records be secured forthwith to prevent tampering.
The following have been named in the complaint as "officials who exercised administrative control and oversight during the period of the exchanges".
Mr. R.N. Ravi, Chairman, Auroville Foundation
Ms. Jayanti Ravi, IAS – Secretary, Auroville Foundation (during 2022–2024).
Mr. Seetharaman – Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
Mr. Srinivasan Ragavan – Officer on Special Duty / Under Secretary
Shri. R.N. Ravi's tenure as the Chairman ended in October 2025. He was shifted from his position as the Governor of Tamil Nadu to become the Governor of West Bengal on March 5, 2026.
Ms. Jayanti Ravi's tenure as Secretary ended in July 2024 and was transferred back to Gujarat. She continues to be the Secretary of Auroville, as an additional charge, through annual extensions.
Image courtesy: Shri Arun Prakash Ambathy