Maharashtra orders high-level probe into ₹1,800-crore land scam linked to Parth Pawar
Mumbai – The Maharashtra government launched a high-level probe into an alleged ₹1,800-crore land scam connected to Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The move followed an interim report from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) that exposed serious irregularities in a major land deal in Pune’s Mundhwa area.
The IGR submitted the report to the Additional Chief Secretary in Mumbai, highlighting major lapses in the sale and registration of government-linked land. The state immediately suspended one officer and set up a special committee to investigate the matter further. The committee will submit its final report within eight days.
Land Worth ₹1,800 Crore Sold for ₹300 Crore
According to the report, a 43-acre plot in Mundhwa—officially listed under the “Mumbai Government” as occupant—was sold to Amedia Enterprises LLP, a firm allegedly linked to Parth Pawar. The company bought the land for ₹300 crore, though its market value stood around ₹1,800 crore.
The land was earlier leased to the Indian Botanical Survey for 15 years and extended until 2038 for a token rent of ₹1 per year, suggesting the state retained ownership rights. Despite that, the Power of Attorney holder, Sheetal Tejwani, acting for 272 individuals, sold the land directly to Amedia Enterprises LLP. The company planned to build a data centre on the site.
Stamp Duty of ₹21 Crore Slashed to ₹500
Investigators found a major loss to the exchequer. While the deal value stood at ₹300 crore, the payable stamp duty and taxes totalled ₹21 crore. However, the registration office processed the sale for only ₹500 in stamp duty.
Even if the buyer qualified for a 5% stamp duty rebate under data centre incentives, local taxes such as Metro Tax and Local Body Tax—worth nearly ₹6 crore—still applied. Officials said this irregular registration cost the government crores in revenue.
Officer Suspended, FIRs Under Process
The report blamed former Joint Sub-Registrar Ravindra Taru for violating registration procedures. He approved the sale deed without verifying essential permissions or a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The government suspended him and initiated recovery proceedings for ₹5.99 crore in unpaid stamp duty.
Officials are preparing FIRs against the Power of Attorney holder, the buyer company, and the Sub-Registrar. Though reports link Amedia Enterprises LLP to Parth Pawar, his name does not appear in the complaint.
Government Panel to Submit Report Soon
The state formed a high-level committee to examine the functioning of the Stamp Duty and Registration Department. The panel will assess the total financial loss and recommend corrective measures.
Sources said the government aims to fix accountability across all departments involved. Officials believe the final report, due within eight days, will uncover how the undervalued registration went through multiple clearances unnoticed.
The case has sparked political debate in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders demanded Ajit Pawar’s clarification and stricter monitoring of land deals involving government property. Meanwhile, the administration promised a transparent probe to restore public trust.
