Vikas Kharge Committee Exposes Illegal Mundhwa Land Deal, Recommends Criminal Action
The Vikas Kharge committee, which was established last year to investigate the controversial Mundhwa land deal, has submitted a comprehensive 4,392-page inquiry report that exposes severe irregularities. The panel's findings highlight that the registration of purchase deeds for government land amounted to an illegal transfer of government property, a serious breach of legal protocols.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The committee has called for immediate criminal action and the suspension of officials involved in the scandal. It strongly recommends the restoration of the land to the government and the implementation of systemic reforms to prevent such cases from recurring in the future. The inquiry was specifically restricted to civil and revenue-related irregularities, such as the loss of land revenue and stamp duty, while clarifying that criminal liability falls under the purview of police investigation.
During the inquiry, representations were received seeking the inclusion of additional individuals in criminal cases. However, the panel stated that criminal investigation was beyond its mandate, emphasizing the need for a separate police probe.
Individuals Implicated and Actions Taken
The report identifies several key individuals involved in the transaction. Two police cases have been registered against power of attorney holder Sheetal Tejwani, purchaser Digvijay Amarsinh Patil of Amadea Enterprises LLP, joint deputy registrar Ravindra Taru, and Pune city tehsildar Suryakant Yewale. The committee has recommended strict action against them, holding both buyers and sellers responsible for the illegal act.
In response to the findings, Taru and Yewale have been suspended with immediate effect, and departmental inquiries have been initiated against both with the aim of dismissal from service. Additionally, departmental proceedings were initiated against Santosh Hingane, the district joint registrar of Pune city, for waiving stamp duty in the transaction.
Serious Illegal Acts and Ongoing Investigations
The committee termed the actions of Digvijay Patil, who purchased the land on behalf of Amadea Enterprises LLP despite knowing it belonged to the government and could not be legally acquired, as a serious illegal act. Cases have already been registered at two police stations, and a detailed police investigation is currently underway to uncover further details.
The report also noted that any other individuals found involved during the investigation will be held responsible and face appropriate action. This underscores the committee's commitment to ensuring accountability across all levels.
Systemic Failures and Financial Implications
The committee observed that officials from the revenue and stamps and registration departments facilitated the sale, purchase, and registration of illegal documents, reflecting grave negligence. Allowing the registration of government land transactions was a significant administrative lapse, with responsibility fixed on officials and stakeholders.
In a related development, the district joint registrar of Pune city has issued an order directing the payment of Rs 21 crore towards short-paid stamp duty at the time of registration. Amadea Enterprises LLP has challenged this order before the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), and the appeal is currently pending.
Additional Evidence and Legal Observations
During hearings related to Amadea Enterprises LLP, financial statements, company resolutions, details of partners and shareholding, and a second power of attorney issued by Tejwani were submitted before the committee. The report noted that Tejwani, acting as attorney-in-fact for Ashok Gaikwad and others, issued a notarized power of attorney (POA) to Parth Pawar.
The committee observed that a POA in connection with government land is illegal and constitutes a criminal matter. This POA is now part of the ongoing police investigation, highlighting the depth of the irregularities uncovered.
Report Availability and Future Steps
The report, submitted on February 12, is available on the revenue department's official website, as confirmed by officials. The inquiry committee was tasked with examining four key aspects of the transaction, and its findings are expected to guide future actions to prevent similar incidents. The committee's recommendations for criminal action and systemic reforms aim to restore integrity in land dealings and ensure such illegal transfers do not occur again.
