Ajit Pawar scraps Pune land deal, claims son Parth unaware property was government-owned

Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar attempted damage control on Friday, stating that his son Parth was unaware that the land purchased by his firm in Pune was government-owned and announcing that the Rs 300 crore deal has been cancelled. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the transaction as a "theft of land reserved for Dalits." Activist Anna Hazare also commented, emphasising that if a minister’s children commit wrongdoing, the minister should be held accountable.

The Revenue and Forest Department has constituted a high-level panel led by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge to investigate unauthorised registration of documents related to survey no 88 in Mouje Mundhwa, Pune, and assess any financial loss to the state.

Ajit Pawar, whose Nationalist Congress Party is part of the BJP-led coalition, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and addressed the media, stating that the land in question is government-owned and cannot be sold. He added that neither Parth Pawar nor his business partner Digvijay Patil were aware of this fact and that the probe will determine responsibility. Pawar denied any pressure on authorities regarding the land transfer to Parth's company, Amadea Enterprises LLP.

The FIR names three individuals, including Digvijay Patil, but excludes Parth, as these individuals signed the documents at the registrar's office, with no involvement of Ajit Pawar or his office. Pawar clarified that the transaction was only an agreement to buy the land, with no payments made or possession taken, meaning the deal is incomplete.

Parth Pawar confirmed the deal was legal and transparent, but agreed to cancel it to avoid any suspicion of wrongdoing. The cancellation documents have been submitted to the registering authority.

The deal for 40 acres of government land in Mundhwa came under scrutiny due to missing clearances. The opposition estimated the land’s market value at Rs 1,800 crore. Pimpri Chinchwad police filed an FIR against Digvijay Patil, Shital Tejwani (representing 272 landowners), and sub-registrar R B Taru for misappropriation and cheating. Another FIR implicated suspended revenue official Suryakant Yewale for illicitly approving the land transfer. Additional FIRs named others involved in a separate controversial land deal in Bopodi, near Pune.

Rahul Gandhi criticised the government for the land deal, alleging it involved theft of Dalit-reserved land and waiver of stamp duty, calling it both a robbery and vote theft. Officials noted the land was "Mahar Vatan," historically allocated to the Mahar community for hereditary village duties.

Anna Hazare demanded stern action, stating ministers should be blamed if their children are involved in wrongdoing, emphasising the importance of family values.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare accused the revenue and police departments of protecting Parth Pawar, questioning why he was not named despite his signature on key documents related to stamp duty exemption.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule asked the opposition to await the high-level committee's report, expected within a month. He explained Parth was not named in the FIR as he was not present when the sale documents were signed.

With inputs from PTI