A proposed ₹300 crore land deal in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area has been cancelled amid allegations of misconduct. The land, covering 40 acres, originally belonged to the government. Parth Pawar, son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was a partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP, the firm involved in the deal.
Ajit Pawar has defended his son, saying neither Parth nor his business partner knew the land was government property when the deal was initiated. He added that the transaction has now been scrapped, no money was exchanged, and the deal was never completed.
A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The panel is led by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge and includes the Pune District Collector, the Inspector General of Registration & Stamps, and other senior officials. They will examine the unauthorized registration of documents related to Survey No 88 in Mouje Mundhwa. The committee has been given one month to submit its findings.
The controversy has drawn criticism from opposition parties and activists. Critics say the land, reserved for Scheduled Castes under ‘Mahar Watan’ rules, should not have been sold. They also allege that the deal involved waiving stamp duty worth crores of rupees. Social activist Anna Hazare commented that if ministers’ children are involved in wrongdoing, the ultimate responsibility lies with the minister.
The cancellation comes amid growing public scrutiny of land deals involving political figures. Authorities are now focusing on ensuring that government land is protected and that proper registration procedures are followed.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying land ownership before entering into high-value transactions. While Ajit Pawar has defended his son, the ongoing probe will examine whether any laws were violated and determine the next steps.
The Maharashtra government has assured that the investigation will be transparent and thorough. The public and media are closely watching the committee’s findings, which could influence future policies on government land sales and registrations.
As of now, the land deal remains cancelled, and no financial transactions have been completed. The case continues to be monitored by senior officials and remains a significant topic in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
