Buy, build, profit: How MP Chief Minister’s cousins flipped Ujjain

Within months, between July 2024 and September 2025, they handed over these plots to Indore-based Shanti Mahalok Builders in five tranches for development.

One set of plots were transferred to the builder under the agreement that Shanti Mahalok would have to develop the project at its own risk and cost in 24 months and hand over 67.8 per cent of the developed property, including dwelling units, to Govind Yadav and partners to sell or utilise independently.

The other parcels were also transferred under similar agreements but with a 60:40 ratio of ownership of the developed project between the land owner and the builder.

Asked about the two deals, Govind Yadav’s son Anant Yadav said: “Our agreement with the builder is based purely on the appreciating value of the land and the fixed cost of development.”

On the ownership of land in Ujjain’s Gangedi, he said: “My father (Govind) is not the sole owner. He has six-seven private business partners. Though registered in 2023, the land purchase agreements date back to 2020 when he (Mohan Yadav) was not even a minister. The highway work in question was cleared back in 2019. The land is not on the highway but 100m away.”

Shanti Mahalok co-owner Mehul Mehta declined to comment.

A housing project coming up on land in Ujjain’s Gangedi. (Express Photo)

Mohan Yadav’s other cousin Nilesh Yadav, on the other hand, is developing a number of realty projects under the Sawariya brand name. Since October 2024, he has registered four new housing schemes through Shri Annapurna Construction in Ujjain with Madhya Pradesh RERA.

These are:

• October 2024: Shri Sawariya Dham in Karadiya on 7.5 acres purchased in July 2023,
• December 2024: Sawariya Dreams in Chandesera on 5 acres purchased in October 2023,
• September 2025: Sawariya Green in Dhediya on 12.13 acres acquired from Shri Siddhivinayak Devcons in September 2024
• November 2025: Shree Sawariya Residency in Nanakheda on 3.7 acres purchased in June 2024.

Responding on behalf of uncle Nilesh, Anant Yadav said: “Our family has been in realty business since 2010 when my father developed a 100-bigha property in Ujjain. My uncle has various Sawariya housing projects. As private individuals, we have every right to buy, develop or sell any private land. Should we shut down just because the CM happens to be from the family?”

Govind, alias Bablu Yadav, and his younger brother Nilesh are sons of Mohan Yadav’s uncle Shankarlal and aunt Annapurna Yadav. Together, the brothers have spearheaded the Yadav family’s land-purchasing drive since late 2023 — around the time Mohan Yadav became chief minister.

Govind has purchased at least 46 acres — either on his own or with his sons Siddharth and Anant, or with business partners Nemichand Jain, Kashiram Patidar and Pawan Bohra — in and around Ujjain since 2024.

Nilesh runs at least two companies — Shri Annapurna Construction and Shree Annapurna Enterprises — with wife Sunita. Since 2024, Nilesh and wife Sunita have purchased at least 78 acres in and around Ujjain.

Key Takeaways

Gangedi Goes Commercial

• Cousin Govind Yadav and associates bought 41 acres across 16 deals in Gangedi between April 2024 and July 2025.
• Within months, all plots were handed to Indore-based Shanti Mahalok Builders in five tranches for development.

Builder Deal Terms

• Under one agreement, Shanti Mahalok builds at its own cost and returns 67.8% of developed units to Govind.
• A second set of plots was transferred on a 60:40 split between the landowner and the builder.

Sawariya Brand Grows

• Cousin Nilesh Yadav launched four housing schemes under the Sawariya brand via Shri Annapurna Construction.
• All four were registered with MP RERA between October 2024 and November 2025 across key Ujjain localities.

Four Projects Listed

• Sawariya Dham (Karadiya, 7.5 acres), Sawariya Dreams (Chandesera, 5 acres) were registered in late 2024.
• Sawariya Green (Dhediya, 12.13 acres) and Sawariya Residency (Nanakheda, 3.7 acres) followed in 2025.

Cousins Lead Charge

• Govind and Nilesh — sons of Mohan Yadav’s uncle — have spearheaded the family’s land drive since late 2023.
• Together they acquired over 124 acres since 2024; Nilesh alone with wife Sunita purchased at least 78 acres.