Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis orders probe into Pune land deal controversy involving Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s son, sub-registrar suspended

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (right) with son Parth Pawar(left) (Image via Free Press Journal)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry on Thursday, 6th November, into a Pune land deal linked to Parth Pawar, the son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The move comes after questions were raised about the waiver of stamp duty worth Rs 21 crore in the registration of the land.

Fadnavis said he has sought all information related to the matter, and a three-member committee has been set up to investigate the deal. “I have asked for all details. A probe has been ordered, and the truth will come out,” he said. Along with the inquiry, the government has also suspended a sub-registrar from the revenue department.

The CM said, “Prime facie, the issue looks serious. I’ve sought all information concerning the case from the relevant departments. Orders have been given to conduct a probe. I can speak about it and the action to be taken after getting all the details.”

The matter involves the sale of around 40 acres of land in Pune’s Mundhwa area, close to Koregaon Park. The property, valued at around Rs 300 crore, was sold to Amedea Enterprises LLP, a company where Parth Pawar is listed as a partner. The registration of this deal reportedly took place in May.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the committee will examine if the stamp duty waiver was granted as per legal provisions. He explained that there are specific rules concerning Mahar Watan land and exemptions allowed under certain conditions.

“The committee has been told to check if all legal procedures related to Mahar Watan land were properly followed,” Bawankule said. Mahar Watan refers to land granted historically to members of the Mahar community.

Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps Ravindra Binwade said that the three-member panel would submit its report within ten days. He mentioned that the team, headed by the Joint Inspector General of Registration, will study the entire process and inspect the documents that led to the stamp duty exemption.

When contacted, Parth Pawar did not respond to calls or messages. According to official records, the registered address of Amedea Enterprises is the same as Parth Pawar’s residence in Pune’s Yawant Nagar. The land registration documents also show the buyer as Amedea Enterprises, with Digvijay Amarsinh Patil, another partner in the company, signing the papers.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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