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Journalism of Courage
Even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the Pune land deal involving his son Parth Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday denied he had anything to do with the deal.
“I do not have full information about it… I have nothing to do with it. People of Maharashtra know me for 35 years. I have decided to get full information about it. Three-four months ago, I had heard something was cooking. At that time, I had given instructions that no one should do anything which is wrong. I have given clear instructions but do not know what happened after that… I do not have full information about the deal. I do not know who gave the permission,” Pawar told mediapersons.
“Till date, I have never phoned up or told any official to help any of my relatives or close ones. I want to tell officials that if anyone is using my name to indulge in unlawful things, it will not have my support. I am a ‘karyakarta’ who works within the framework of law. Everyone knows it,” he said.
Welcoming the probe ordered by the CM, Pawar said, “The chief minister has ordered a probe. It is the right thing to do.”
When contacted, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said the sale deed in question will be cancelled. “The land has not been taken over. The sale deed’s execution has not taken place. It will be cancelled. I have told the IGR to cancel the land deal.”
The Collector said tehsildar Surkayant Yewale has been suspended. Dudi said it is possible the parties concerned were not aware the land was “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.
The Collector indicated that officials were probably aware the land was “Mahar Watan” land. “We will act against the officials responsible for carrying out the sale deed… The first one who is guilty seems to be the sub-registrar. The IGR has also confirmed there was a mistake. Whether it is a mistake committed unknowingly or knowingly, the officials involved in this case are guilty. They all will face action,” he said, adding that the land is located in Yerawada area.
