Major Land Deal Scrapped Amid Government Probe
In a significant development, the Maharashtra government has officially cancelled the controversial sale of a 40-acre land parcel in Pune that was linked to Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The dramatic reversal comes amid an ongoing probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the transaction.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that the criminal case investigating the Mahar Watan land deal will proceed despite the cancellation of the sale agreement. The announcement about scrapping the deal was initially made by Ajit Pawar himself as allegations mounted.
Government Property Cannot Be Sold
Rajendra Muthe, Maharashtra's Joint Inspector General of Registration, revealed crucial findings on Friday that fundamentally undermined the legitimacy of the entire transaction. The 40-acre land in question officially belongs to the state government and therefore cannot be sold under any circumstances.
"The 7/12 document showed Mumbai Sarkar as the owner. The property card issued after 2018 showed the same. The person holding power of attorney cannot sell the land at any cost," Muthe stated unequivocally to The Indian Express. His office, responsible for property registration and stamp duty collection, is assisting the inquiry committee announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The investigation focuses on the sale of land by Pune resident Sheetal Tejwani, who held power of attorney, to Amadea Enterprises LLP - a limited liability partnership owned by Parth Pawar and business partner Digvijay Patil.
Rapid Transaction Timeline Raises Questions
The chronology of events reveals an remarkably swift process. Within just 13 months, Amadea Enterprises LLP secured a Letter of Intent and executed a Rs 300-crore sale deed for the controversial property.
The sequence began on April 22, 2024, when Amadea Enterprises LLP submitted an application to Pune's District Industries Centre signed by both Parth Pawar and Digvijay Patil. The application sought to establish an IT park under the category of LoI/Registrations to IT/ITES Parks.
Remarkably, the Letter of Intent was issued just two days later on April 24, 2024. This document became crucial as it enabled the company to claim stamp duty waiver and finalize the sale deed with Tejwani on May 19, 2025.
The policy allowing stamp duty waivers had been approved by the Eknath Shinde-led Sena-BJP government in May 2023, merely two months before Ajit Pawar joined the alliance. A formal notification implementing 100 percent stamp duty remission for purchasing land to establish new data centers was issued on February 1, 2024.
Historical Context and Current Status
The land carries significant historical and legal complexities. Currently, the property is leased to the Botanical Survey of India until 2038, with a botanical garden proposed last year for this very land parcel.
The historical background dates back to September 13, 1955, when 17.51 hectare was taken over by the state government, allegedly due to non-payment of taxes. It was subsequently handed over on lease for a botanical garden with the establishment of BSI's western regional center on December 12, 1955. The lease received a 50-year extension in 1988.
State government sources involved in the probe indicated that any lease extension beyond 2038 would be subject to the regrant of the land to its original owners. Tejwani, as power of attorney holder, was authorized to handle all matters related to the land, including applying for regrant and managing legal procedures.
Political Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
Fadnavis emphasized the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter. "Strong action will be taken against all those responsible in the case", he declared, adding that while the land deal was completed, the financial transaction remained pending.
"The registry was complete. Both sides have now sought cancellation of the registry application. As per the application, they will have to make the payment. Even if you have to scrap a registry, you have to make the payment. Accordingly, they have been served notice," Fadnavis explained.
The Deputy CM confirmed that a parallel enquiry under an Additional Chief Secretary-led committee will submit its report within a month. "The police have already arrested two persons in this case. The probe will be done and nobody will be spared", he asserted.
Facing mounting allegations, Ajit Pawar told reporters: "Not a single paisa was exchanged in the land deal. The sale deed now stands cancelled." He expressed confidence that the six-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge would function transparently without political pressure.
The committee led by Muthe is expected to submit its comprehensive report to the state government within seven days, potentially revealing further details about the controversial transaction that has captured political attention across Maharashtra.
