Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar recently defended his son, Parth, amid controversy over a land deal in Pune. The state government has canceled the Rs 300 crore transaction involving land originally belonging to the government. The deal attracted criticism from various political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the government of engaging in “land theft reserved for Dalits.”
Details of the Controversial Land Deal
The disputed land, located in the upscale Mundhwa area, was intended for sale to Parth Pawar’s company, Amadea Enterprises LLP. Ajit Pawar stated that Parth and his partner, Digvijay Patil, were unaware that the land belonged to the government. A high-level inquiry led by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge has been initiated to probe the unauthorized registration of the documents related to this transaction.
Accusations and Legal Proceedings
- The FIR has named three individuals: Digvijay Patil, Shital Tejwani, and sub-registrar RB Taru, for alleged misappropriation and cheating.
- Another FIR has been filed against Patil, Tejwani, and suspended revenue official Suryakant Yewale.
- During inquiries, it was found that the suspended tehsildar may have played a role in the illegal land transfer.
Ajit Pawar emphasized that no payments were made for the land and that the transaction remained incomplete. He affirmed that neither he nor anyone in his office pressured authorities regarding the land sale.
Political Reactions and Implications
Rahul Gandhi claimed the market value of the land was around Rs 1,800 crore. He also criticized the waived stamp duty, describing the situation as a “robbery” against the Dalit community. Prominent anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare called for accountability, stating that if ministerial children engage in wrongdoing, the responsibility lies with the ministers.
Amidst the backlash, Ajit Pawar announced the cancellation of the deal to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. As the situation develops, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule called for patience until the investigation’s findings are released in approximately one month.
