Revenue department suspends sub-registrar over ₹300-crore land deal linked to Ajit Pawar’s son

Ajit Pawar

The Maharashtra Revenue Department has suspended a sub-registrar and ordered a probe into a ₹300-crore land transaction allegedly linked to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar. The department has also formed a committee to investigate the sale, which involves government-owned land, an official said on Thursday, as quoted by news agency PTI.

While responding to questions on the matter, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said an inquiry had been ordered as the issue “prima facie appears serious,” even as the Opposition intensified its criticism of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.

According to officials, around 40 acres of “Mahar Vatan land belonging to the government” were sold to Amadea Enterprises LLP, which is a company in which Parth Pawar is a partner, for ₹300 crore.

The sale, they said, was accompanied by a waiver of stamp duty. Since the land is classified as government property, it cannot legally be sold to a private entity.

Inspector General of Registration Ravindra Binwade told PTI that a high-level committee has been formed to determine how the government land was transferred to a private firm and whether the stamp duty exemption followed due process.

“The documents submitted to claim the exemption will be checked. The committee will also see what sort of documents were produced during registration. But as an immediate action, we have suspended the sub-registrar because, if it is government land, the registration should not have taken place," PTI quoted Binawade as saying.

Revenue department sources said the “7/12 extract”, a crucial land ownership record, lists the owner as “Mumbai Sarkar”. “The property cards show the name of the owners, who sold it to the private firm,” one official added.

PTI reported that attempts to reach Parth Pawar for comment were unsuccessful. Alongside him, Digvijay Patil, in whose name the registration was executed, is listed as a co-partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis said, “Prime facie, the issue looks serious. I’ve sought all information concerning the case from the relevant departments. Orders have been given to conduct a probe. I can speak about it and the action to be taken after getting all the details.”

RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar alleged that a land parcel in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area was purchased for about ₹300 crore by a company linked to Parth Pawar, despite its actual market value being “considerably higher”. He further claimed that “the stamp duty of ₹21 crore on this deal was waived”. “Why are some people more equal than others?” Kumbhar asked in a social media post.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said his department would review the deal after receiving a formal complaint. “The Industries Department, while encouraging certain industries, offers waivers or reliefs. That department will have to provide all relevant details. Instead of making any statements now, I will wait till November 11 when Damania submits her documents,” he told reporters, referring to activist Anjali Damania, who informed him she would file a complaint.

The Opposition has seized upon the controversy to target the government. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded a judicial probe, alleging the deal was executed in violation of the law. “The purchase of land by the company of Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, must be investigated in a transparent manner. This is government land, and it was sold without any decision from the Revenue Department in this matter,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that the land bought by the firm is worth around ₹1,800 crore and claimed the company passed a resolution on April 22 to establish an IT park — despite having “a capital of ₹1 lakh.” He further alleged that the transaction was completed within 27 days and that the Industries Department had waived the stamp duty. “Earlier, Ajit Pawar said that people want everything for free. If that’s the case, why do they want it (the land) for free?” he asked.

(With PTI inputs)