Pune Land Deal Scandal: 3 Indicted, Parth Pawar Gets Notice Over ₹300-Crore Transaction

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A three-member committee has found three individuals responsible for the controversial ₹300-crore Mundhwa land deal in Pune. The inquiry, led by Joint Inspector General of Registration Rajendra Muthe, named Sheetal Tejwani, Digvijay Patil, and suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru for their roles in the sale of a 40-acre government-owned land parcel to Amadea Enterprises LLP, a firm linked to Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth. While Parth Pawar himself has not been indicted, his company has been issued a notice demanding ₹42 crore in unpaid dues and cancellation of stamp duty. The deal raised eyebrows as it involved the sale of 'watan land,' which cannot be sold or transferred without government approval. The committee's findings have been submitted to the authorities, and two more reports are expected to follow. The government has ordered an investigation into the matter, and a six-member committee has been formed to review the findings. The report highlights several irregularities in the transaction, including the undervaluation of the land and the submission of a Letter of Intent to claim a 5% stamp duty waiver. The remaining 2% duty was also not paid, despite the sale deed being accepted and registered. The Mundhwa land deal has sparked a political storm, and two FIRs have been registered so far. The government has announced that the deal will be cancelled, and an inquiry has been launched to investigate the matter further. The committee's report recommends stricter measures to prevent such transactions in the future, including the vetting and approval of stamp duty waiver proposals by collectors. It also suggests extending the safeguard against registering sale or purchase documents involving government-owned properties to cases where government ownership, possession, or interest is uncertain but suspected.