According to activists TOI cited, the land, categorised as Mahar Watan land and valued at around ₹1,800 crore, was transferred for just ₹300 crore to Amadea Enterprises LLP, a firm in which Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar, is one of two partners. They further alleged that stamp duty worth ₹21 crore, due at the time of registration in May, was waived off.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that a probe has been initiated into the matter. “Prima facie the issue appears to be serious. I have asked for officials concerned from land records, IGR, and other revenue offices to share all details with me,” he said, adding that a five-member committee has been formed to examine the transaction.
The controversy has already led to the suspension of sub-registrar Ravindra Taru from the IGR’s Haveli IV office for “gross irregularity in registering the sale deed and causing loss to the exchequer.” The IGR has also authorised joint district registrar and stamp duty collector Santosh Hingane to initiate criminal proceedings against Taru, Sheetal Tejwani (who held the land’s power of attorney), and Digvijay Patil, a partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP, all of whom are named in the sale deed.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, responding to the allegations, distanced himself from the transaction. “I had heard something like this 3–4 months ago and had warned against anything wrong being done. I had given clear directions that no one should do anything wrong. Directly, as Ajit Pawar, I have no connection with the case so far,” he said.
Clarifying that his son operates independently, Pawar added, “When children grow up, they begin their own profession. The address of the company concerned is not mine but my son Parth’s. I have never contacted any official regarding favours to be done for my relatives. If anyone is using my name to do anything against the rules, I do not support it.” He also said that “the CM has the right to conduct an inquiry.”Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) MP and Ajit Pawar’s cousin, defended her nephew amid the controversy. “I believe in Parth; he won’t do anything wrong,” she said.Meanwhile, Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed the irregularities. “There has been an illegal transaction and a necessary inquiry is being carried out. Action will be taken against officials who are part of it,” he told The Times of India.
The revelations have set off a fresh political storm in Maharashtra, with opposition parties expected to seize upon the controversy as the probe unfolds.
With inputs from TOI