MP minister lands in soup

Saiwanta has alleged that she was forced to sign a sale deed on June 2, 1996. She says Kawre paid her Rs 55,000 and got the land registered in his own name. Apparently, Kawre had hatched the plan to cheat her of her land in collusion with the local patwari and revenue officers. He allegedly prepared the sale deed well in advance and then took Saiwanta and her son to the registrar’s office, where he did not allow the sale deed to be read out to her.

Saiwanta, an illiterate who can only sign her name, agreed to sign the deed after being assured by Kawre that she would be given her share after the trees were felled. She received only Rs 55,000.

Earlier, Kawre’s reputation had received a battering during the last Vidhan Sabha session when it had been established that he had been caught cheating during the LLB exams. Kawre acknowledged his fault but refused to resign.

However, this complaint may put him in serious trouble as it is being investigated by the Lokayukta. If found guilty by the vigilance police, he may be prosecuted. The complaint has been made on a stamp paper which is attested by a notary. This puts the complainant under oath and is punishable if guilt is established.

The irony is that Kawre himself belongs to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) section of the population and the case may adversely affect his popularity during elections as Balaghat is dominated by OBCs.