Pune Court Denies Bail in Major Government Land Fraud Case
A magisterial court in Paud, Pune, rejected the bail application of Sheetal Tejwani on Tuesday. Tejwani holds power of attorney in a controversial government land sale case. The Bavdhan police are investigating this matter.
Serious Charges and High-Profile Connections
Sheetal Tejwani faces serious allegations. Authorities accuse her of conspiring with suspended sub-registrar Ravindra B Taru and Digvijay Patil, a partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP. Together, they allegedly executed a fraudulent sale deed for a 40-acre government land parcel. The transaction value was a staggering Rs 300 crore.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, is another partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP. However, the police have not named him in the First Information Report (FIR). This detail adds a political dimension to the case.
The Police Case and Financial Loss
The police filed the case based on a complaint from Santosh Hingane, the joint district register and stamp duty collector. Hingane lodged the complaint on November 6, 2025. The complaint outlines several irregularities.
- The accused suppressed material facts during the transaction.
- They did not obtain mandatory permission or a no-objection certificate from the competent government authority.
- Revenue records clearly showed the land was "closed" and recorded in the name of the "Government of Mumbai."
- The accused secured a stamp duty exemption, causing a Rs 21 crore revenue loss to the state.
Court's Reasoning for Bail Rejection
The court provided detailed reasons for denying bail. It emphasized the seriousness of the allegations.
"The allegations against the accused are serious," the court stated. "They pertain to an alleged conspiracy involving private individuals and a public servant. This conspiracy resulted in substantial financial loss to the state."
The court highlighted the magnitude of the alleged loss and the misuse of statutory exemptions. It noted the specific role attributed to Tejwani. Considering the nature and gravity of the offence, the court believed granting bail would hamper the ongoing investigation.
The investigation remains active. Police are still examining financial transactions, identifying other accused persons, and interviewing witnesses. The court stressed that the overall conspiracy is still under scrutiny.
Beyond Simple Stamp Duty Evasion
Tejwani's defense argued the case was merely about stamp duty evasion under the Maharashtra Stamp Act. The court firmly rejected this narrow interpretation.
"The allegations on record clearly disclose offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy," the court observed. "The accused allegedly facilitated stamp duty evasion despite knowing the land was recorded in the government's name. This indicates a conscious and fraudulent design to cause wrongful loss to the state and gain for the accused."
Unclear Land Ownership Status
The court also addressed the contentious issue of land ownership. Current property cards and revenue records show a mutation entry in the name of the "Government of Mumbai."
However, the legality of these documents is itself under judicial review. Sheetal Tejwani has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court concerning this property. The court noted that the pendency of this petition means the status of the property is not final.
Therefore, the claim that the land title was regularized before the sale deed cannot be accepted at this stage. The matter awaits further judicial scrutiny.
The court's decision underscores the complexity and high stakes of this case. It involves allegations of large-scale fraud, potential political connections, and significant state revenue loss. The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
