Pune Land Investigation Nears Conclusion, Report Submission Expected by February 6
Officials from the revenue department have indicated that the five-member committee investigating alleged irregularities in a land purchase deed in Mundhwa, Pune, is unlikely to seek another extension and is expected to submit its final report to the state government by February 6. The inquiry, which has been under scrutiny, is now in its concluding stages.
Committee Completes Investigation, Report in Final Stages
A senior official, who chose to remain anonymous, stated, "The inquiry is complete and a report is in the final stages. There is no indication that the panel will ask for more time." This comes after the committee was granted multiple extensions to thoroughly examine the case.
The panel, headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge, is probing alleged procedural lapses in the registration of a land purchase deed related to survey number 88 at Mouje Mundhwa in Pune. This transaction is notably linked to Parth Pawar, the son of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Focus on Valuation, Documentation, and Official Roles
The investigation centers on critical issues such as:
- Valuation discrepancies in the land deal
- Documentation irregularities during the registration process
- The role of officials involved in facilitating the transaction
Constituted in early November amid significant political controversy, the committee was initially tasked with submitting its findings by December 6, 2025. However, the deadline was first extended to January 6 and then granted another month after the panel requested additional time to scrutinize records and gather responses from various offices.
Timeline Maintained Despite Political Developments
Following the accidental death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, there were speculations about whether the committee would meet its revised deadline. The official clarified, "We have officials from all departments giving their inputs, and a report is being collated. The committee is on track to submit its findings by February 6."
In addition to Vikas Kharge, the committee comprises:
- The Pune Divisional Commissioner
- The Commissioner of Land Registration and Director of Land Records
- The Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps
- The Pune District Collector
Criticism and Calls for Transparency
Opposition parties and activists have criticized the repeated extensions, alleging that such delays could weaken the probe's integrity. In response, the state government has assured that appropriate action will be taken once the report is submitted.
Activist Anjali Damania, in a post on her X handle on February 1, argued that if a swearing-in ceremony could be held just three days after Ajit Pawar's death under the premise of "business as usual," then the investigation into the Pune land scam should not be stalled. She emphasized, "The pending FIR against Parth Pawar should be registered immediately, and the Kharge commission's report should be made public without delay. Appointing Parth Pawar as a Rajya Sabha MP while an inquiry against him is underway is wrong."
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the committee's findings, which are expected to shed light on the alleged irregularities and determine the next steps in this high-profile case.
