Pune Land Deal Investigation Intensifies
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune City Police has taken significant steps in investigating the controversial Mahar Watan land deal case by recording the primary statement of Sheetal Tejwani on Tuesday, November 19, 2025. Tejwani, who held power of attorney for 272 watandars of Mahar Watan land in Mundhwa, is a key figure in the sale of the property to Amadea Enterprises LLP.
Political Connections and Legal Violations
The land deal has sparked major controversy due to its political connections and legal irregularities. The Mundhwa property, classified as Mahar Watan land, was sold to Amadea Enterprises LLP without obtaining mandatory approval from the state government. This becomes particularly significant because Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, is a partner in the purchasing company.
Pune City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar officially confirmed that Tejwani's statement was recorded as part of the ongoing investigation into the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Khadak police station on November 7. While police authorities have refused to disclose the specific details of Tejwani's statement, investigation officers indicated that she might be required to appear before the police again for further questioning.
Multiple Cases and Key Accused
The investigation has revealed connections between two separate land deals in Bopodi and Mundhwa, with suspended tehsildar Suryakant Yewale emerging as the common factor. Yewale stands accused of issuing wrongful orders in both cases and has been named as an accused in both investigations.
The case registered at Khadak police station involves nine accused individuals. Six people are connected to the Bopodi land parcel (Survey Number 62) measuring five hectares and 35 ares, while two others - Sheetal Tejwani and Digvijay Patil (Parth Pawar's business partner in Amadea Enterprises) - are linked to the Mundhwa land deal involving Survey Number 88 measuring 17 hectares and 51 ares.
In a recent development, the Pune court granted interim anticipatory bail to suspended tehsildar Yewale in the Bopodi land deal case on November 13. Meanwhile, a separate case concerning the Mundhwa land parcel has been registered at Bavdhan police station under Pimpri Chinchwad police jurisdiction against Patil, Tejwani, and Ravindra Taru, the suspended sub-registrar who officially registered the deal in May this year.
Understanding Mahar Watan Land
The controversy gains additional significance due to the special nature of Mahar Watan land. Mahar Watan refers to hereditary land grants traditionally provided to members of the Mahar community (now classified under Scheduled Caste category) as compensation for performing hereditary village duties under the old Watan system.
The disputed Mundhwa land parcel, which was originally Mahar Watan property, was currently under government possession and leased to the Botanical Survey of India at the time of the controversial sale. The case continues to develop as investigators piece together the complete picture of the alleged irregularities in these land transactions.
