A Pune court has refused bail to Sheetal Tejwani, a key accused in a high-value alleged fraud involving the illegal sale of government land in the city's Mundhwa area. Judicial Magistrate First Class Alisha C Bagal rejected Tejwani's bail plea, citing the serious nature of the accusations and the risk of her tampering with evidence.
Court Cites Serious Allegations of Cheating Government
In her order dated January 3, the magistrate stated that it prima facie appears Tejwani sold government property situated at Mundhwa without sanction and without paying requisite stamp duty, thereby cheating the government. "These allegations are serious," Bagal noted, adding that "the alleged transaction involves huge amounts and the investigation regarding the same is going on."
The court dismissed Tejwani's defense that the Mundhwa property belongs to 'Watandars' (hereditary landholders) and not the government. It ruled that this aspect cannot be decided at the current stage while the probe is ongoing.
Risk of Evidence Tampering and Medical Grounds Rejected
The magistrate expressed concern that if released on bail, Tejwani might interfere with the investigation. "She may tamper with the prosecution evidence, she may influence the prosecution witnesses and may not be available for the trial," the order stated.
Furthermore, the court held that Tejwani could not rely on personal grounds such as being a single mother and suffering from various ailments to secure bail, given the gravity of the offence. The police arrested Tejwani on December 3, 2025.
The Rs 300 Crore Mundhwa Land Deal: Key Facts
The case originates from a complaint filed on November 7, 2025, by Naib Tehsildar Pravina S Borde against suspended tehsildar Suryakant Yewale and eight others. The complaint concerned Yewale's two illegal orders that recognized ownership rights of a 40-acre government land parcel at Mundhwa and a 5.35-hectare plot at Bopodi in favour of private parties.
According to the police case, Tejwani, who held the Power of Attorney on behalf of 272 original holders of the Mahar Watan land at Mundhwa, illegally sold the government property. The land is currently with the government and leased to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) until 2038.
The police allege she sold it to Amadea Enterprises LLP for Rs 300 crore and registered a sale deed on May 20, 2025, without any authority. Amadea Enterprises LLP is a firm where Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, is a partner.
Following the sale, Amadea Enterprises applied to Yewale for possession on May 26, 2025. Yewale then directed the BSI to vacate the land on June 9, 2025. While Parth Pawar is not named in the FIR, the firm's other partner, Digvijay Patil, and Tejwani are named as beneficiaries in Yewale's June 9 order.
Prosecution's Arguments and Past Record
District Government Pleader Pramod Bombatkar, opposing the bail, argued that Tejwani played a major role in the crime and was a direct beneficiary. He highlighted that she executed the sale deed as the PoA holder despite the fact that 28 of the Watandars had died. Bombatkar also informed the court that Tejwani has previous cases related to economic offences pending against her.
Tejwani's lawyer, Ajay Bhise, argued for bail on grounds of her cooperation with the investigation, her status as a single mother and sole caregiver to three minor children, and her medical ailments. He contended that the sold land belonged to Watandars, not the state, and that the liability for stamp duty lay with the buyer.
The court's rejection of bail underscores the legal hurdles facing the accused as the Pune police continue their investigation into this complex land deal involving high stakes and influential names.
