Ajit Pawar's son 'lands' in trouble over Rs 300-cr Pune deal; govt orders probe

A Rs 300-crore land deal in Pune involving a firm linked to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth was embroiled in charges of irregularities and set off a political row, prompting the state government to order a high-level probe and suspend a sub-registrar.

While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday termed the land transaction "prima facie serious" and said he has sought information concerning the case from relevant departments, Ajit Pawar insisted he was no way connected with the controversial deal.

The Opposition slammed the ruling Mahayuti comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar's NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and demanded a judicial inquiry into the deal.

The government has suspended a sub-registrar and set up a high-level committee under Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge to investigate alleged irregularities in the land deal, said officials. PTI tried to reach Parth Pawar by phone for his comments, but he did not respond. The office of Inspector General of Registration (IGP) issued an order suspending RB Taru, Sub-Registrar attached to Haveli No. 4 office in Pune district, for irregularities in document registration and causing a loss to the state exchequer.

The action against Taru was based on a report submitted by the Joint District Registrar and Collector (Stamps), said the order.

According to an official, 40 acres of Mahar Vatan land belonging to the government in Pune's upmarket Mundhwa area was sold to a private firm, Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a partner, for Rs 300 crore, and the stamp duty on it was waived. Being government land, the plot cannot be sold to a private firm, he explained.

Talking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis said, "Prime facie, the issue looks serious. I've sought information concerning the case from relevant departments. Orders have been given to conduct a probe.”

State BJP minister Nitesh Rane asserted, “Our party will not tolerate anything like this. Zero tolerance for corruption is the style of Chief Minister Fadnavis. Nobody will be spared.” Ajit Pawar, who holds finance, planning and excise portfolios, made it clear he has never called or instructed any officer to ensure benefits for his relatives. “I wish to make clear to officers that I won't support any wrong actions by anyone citing my name to get their work done. When your children grow up, they do their own business,” the NCP president stated.

The Opposition attacked the BJP-led government over the land deal.Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded a judicial inquiry into the deal, claiming it was done in violation of the law. — PTI