A court in Paud, Pune, has dealt a significant blow to a suspended government official accused in a multi-crore stamp duty evasion case. On Thursday, the magisterial court rejected the bail plea of Ravindra B Taru (58), the former sub-registrar who was arrested by Bavdhan police on December 7. Taru stands accused of illegally registering a sale deed for a valuable 40-acre government land parcel in Mundhwa, causing massive revenue loss to the state exchequer.
The Core Allegations and Key Players
The case revolves around the registration of a sale deed for a prime 40-acre Mundhwa government land parcel. The document was executed between Sheetal Tejwani, who claims to hold power of attorney for 272 original watandars, and Amadea Enterprises LLP. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, is a partner in this LLP. However, the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Bavdhan police names Amadea's other partner, Digvijay Patil, along with Tejwani and Taru, but does not name Parth Pawar.
The prosecution alleges that despite clear indicators of government ownership and a substantial stamp duty liability, Taru proceeded to register the sale deed for a shockingly nominal amount. He allegedly charged only Rs 500 in stamp paper for a transaction with a declared consideration of a staggering Rs 300 crore. This act, according to the state, resulted in an alleged loss of Rs 21 crore in stamp duty revenue.
Court's Stern Reasoning for Bail Rejection
The court provided detailed and firm reasons for denying bail to the suspended official. It heavily emphasized the "nature and gravity of the offence" and the "prima facie material on record." The judge noted that releasing Taru at this "stage of investigation" could severely hamper the ongoing probe. There was a genuine apprehension that he might influence witnesses or tamper with official records if set free.
Dismissing the allegations as mere oversight, the court observed, "The allegations indicate that despite clear indicators of govt ownership and substantial stamp duty liability, Taru proceeded to register the document by charging a nominal amount... resulting in an alleged loss of several crores of rupees to the state. At this prima facie stage, such acts cannot be treated as mere inadvertent or clerical mistakes."
Medical Bail Plea Also Falls Flat
Ravindra Taru's defense also sought bail on medical grounds, claiming he was suffering from liver psoriasis since January 2025. However, the court found this plea insufficient. It pointed out the absence of recent medical reports indicating an acute or critical condition that would necessitate release. The court concluded it would not be "just and proper to grant bail on medical grounds" based on the presented evidence.
Both Sheetal Tejwani and Ravindra Taru remain in judicial custody as the investigation continues to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the high-value government land involved and the potential political connections, putting the spotlight on transparency in land registration processes.
