Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday formed an inquiry committee to probe the allegations of graft and irregularities in a Pune land deal, involving a company linked to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar, even as the DyCM denied any role in it. The inquiry will be conducted by additional chief secretary (revenue) Vikas Kharge, even as Pune district collector has said the sale deed would be cancelled.
The deal pertains to a 40-acre land in Mundhwa area of Pune city, near the upmarket Koregaon Park area. The land, reportedly worth Rs 1,800 crore, was allegedly sold to Amedea Enterprises LLP, where Parth Pawar is a partner, for Rs 300 crore with a stamp duty waiver of Rs 21 crore.
Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur, “I have sought all the information regarding the issue. Records from the revenue department and IGR (Inspector General of Registration) have been asked to be submitted. I have also directed that an appropriate inquiry be held. Serious issues are coming forward at the primary level. Therefore, I will speak only after getting necessary information.”
“I believe that even the deputy chief minister would not support such a deal. Because we have unanimity in the government, that wherever irregularity has taken place, action should be taken. We will verify whether there is an irregularity or not and will accordingly take action,” he added.
Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said the sale deed of the land will be cancelled. “The land has not been taken over. The sale deed has taken place… It will be cancelled. I have told the IGR to cancel the land deal,” the collector said and added that tehsildar Surkayant Yewale has been suspended.
The district collector said it is possible that the parties were not aware that the land was a Mahar Watan land. “This is because in the sale deed, the land is identified as agriculture land… The land is still in our possession,” he said adding action will be taken against officials responsible for carrying out the sale deed.
“The first one who is guilty seems to the sub-registrar. The IGR has also confirmed that there was a mistake. Whether it is mistake committed unknowingly or knowingly, the officials involved in this case are guilty. They all will face action,” the collector said.
Sources within the government said that the suspension of tehsildar Suryakant Yewale has already been ordered.
Meanwhile, Parth Pawar told a news channel that he has done no wrong. “I have not committed any scam. I have done nothing wrong,” he said.
Denying any role in the land deal, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “I do not have full information about it… have nothing to do with it. People of Maharashtra know me for 35 years. I have decided to get full information about it… Till date, I have never told any official to help any of my relative or near ones. I want to tell officials that if anyone is using my name to indulge any unlawfull things, it will not have my support. I am a ‘karayakarta’ who works within the framework of law. Everyone knows about it.”
Welcoming the probe ordered by the CM, Ajit Pawar said, “The Chief Minister has ordered a probe. It is right to do so…,” he said.
Deal under fire
According to the allegations, Amadea Enterprises LLP of Parth Pawar and Digvijay Patil purchased 40 acres of land in Koregaon Park that was categorised as Mahar watan land. It refers to the hereditary landholding where the Mahar (Scheduled Caste) community were forced to provide labour for village administration and the land (watan land) was given to them. Such lands cannot be sold without prior approval from the state government.
The Opposition has alleged that the total cost of the land was Rs 1,800 crore, but it was sold to Pawar’s company at a mere Rs 300 crore, including a waiver of stamp duty.
“I will have to check whether the stamp duty exemption was given as per the law. There is a specific law when it comes to Mahar watan land. Stamp duty exemption is for specific purposes. I have ordered a probe to check whether the provisions of the law pertaining to Mahar watan land have been followed,” Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said.
Opp seeks clarity
Raising the issue of land deal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said, “A company, which has a share capaity of only Rs 1 lakh, has purchased the land worth Rs 1,800 crore for just Rs 300 crore. The company intends to set up an IT park. The sub-registrar’s office waived the stamp duty.”
Demanding that the government clarify on the land deal, Baramati MP and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule said, “First, it was said that Rs 21 crore stamp duty has been waived. Now, it is said that Rs 6 crore has been waived. Was stamp duty paid or not? The government should clarify whether the deal has taken place or not.”
Stating that the government was giving confusing signals, Sule said, “If people say I am backing Parth, I have no problem with that… I have spoken to Parth Pawar this morning. He told me that he has done nothing wrong… The CM should clarify… If the tehsildar says he has not signed on the land deal, then has the deal taken place or not ? How can they suspend the tehsildar?”
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded Ajit Pawar’s resignation for allegedly helping his son buy property worth thousands of crores at a throwaway price.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (left) has ordered a probe into the alleged undervalued sale of 40 acres of Pune land to Parth Pawar’s firm, the son of Dy CM Ajit Pawar (centre). 
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