Ajit Pawar breaks silence after CM Fadnavis orders probe into Pune land deal linked to his son Parth — What is the case?

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday broke the silence after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an investigation into the over ₹300-crore land deal allegedly involving his son Parth Pawar and said that he had nothing to do with the transaction.

Fadnavis said that prima facie, the issue looks serious, and he has given orders to conduct a probe and sought information from the relevant departments.

On Wednesday, RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar took to the social media platform X to claim that the land parcel was allegedly purchased for about ₹300 crore. “When a common man buys a small flat, he pays lakhs in stamp duty. Then how do the ultra-rich get ‘special exemptions’ on crores worth of land?” asked Kumbhar.

What we know about the case

A 40-acre plot belonging to the government in the Mundhwa area of Pune's Koregaon Park was reportedly sold to a firm in which Parth Pawar is a partner. The land was sold for ₹300 crore; however, the stamp duty on it was waived.

Reports said that the government lost a whopping ₹21 crore in revenue due to the purchase being made with a stamp duty of only ₹500 during the transaction.

An official told PTI that the plot cannot be sold to a private firm as it is government land.

What did Ajit Pawar say

The Deputy Chief Minister said he has no connection with the transaction. “I work within the framework of laws and rules. The Chief Minister should definitely investigate, it is his right. Till date, I have not called any official or told anyone about any of my close relatives to benefit them. On the contrary, as Deputy Chief Minister, I will tell all the officers and employees of Maharashtra that if anyone uses my name to do something wrong or against the rules, I will not support them.”

Who will conduct the probe?

Vikas Kharge, the additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), will head the probe committee, formed on CM Fadnavis' instruction, reported PTI.

Who all have been suspended

A revenue department has suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru and Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale from Pune have been suspended. An FIR has also been registered against Taru, the seller, and the purchaser.

Opposition attacks govt

Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded an inquiry into matter.

“In Pune, scams worth one lakh crore have taken place in various land transactions. If such scams are uncovered, farmers' loan waivers and assistance can easily be made possible,” said Wadettiwar.

Wadettiwar also asked if the chief minister would ignore the matter just to hold onto power, or if he would take action. “The transaction at Koregaon Park must be cancelled and an inquiry must be conducted.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve asked if the government would take action in the Koregaon Park case in the same manner as it had against Eknath Khadse. “Will the inquiry be time-bound?” he asked.