PUNE, 9 NOV. A major case of fraud and cheating the government has been registered at the Bavdhan Police Station under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, concerning the controversial Mundhwa Mahar Watan Land Deal. The investigation primarily focuses on the alleged evasion of nearly ₹6 crore in stamp duty, causing a significant financial loss to the state exchequer. The case has been subsequently transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for further investigation.
The FIR was lodged based on a complaint filed by the Joint District Registrar and Collector of Stamps, Pune. The transaction involves a 40-acre plot of land in Mundhwa, which is officially classified as 'Mahar Watan' government land, requiring prior approval from the competent authority for any sale. Despite the Joint District Registrar confirming a mandatory stamp duty payment of approximately ₹5.89 crore, investigators allege that the sale deed was executed with only a minimal amount paid as duty.
The individuals named in the FIR include Digvijay Amar Singh Patil, Sheetal Kishanchand Tejwani (who held the power of attorney for the sellers), and Ravindra Balkrushna Taaru (a suspended sub-registrar). The complaint focuses on the individuals who were physically present and directly involved in executing the fraudulent registration act. Authorities have stated that the accused conspired to complete the sale deed without paying the mandatory stamp duty.
The transaction has been mired in controversy as the land, which reportedly holds a market value of around ₹1,800 crore, was allegedly sold to Amadea Enterprises LLP for only about ₹300 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar, holds a 99% stake in Amadea Enterprises LLP, but his name was conspicuously left out of the FIR, despite demands from opposition parties. Police have clarified that the FIR was filed strictly against those who signed and executed the illegal sale deed. Following public pressure, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has since announced that the deal involving his son has been cancelled. In a related development, Pune City Tehsildar Suryakant Yeole was recently suspended for allegedly misusing his authority to pass illegal orders related to this and another government land parcel.
000
