Former AIMIM MP Jaleel alleges Rs 6.18 crore stamp duty loss in land 'gifted' to Shiv Sena MP’s driver, demands probe

Former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel. File Pic

Former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel claimed on Thursday that the Maharashtra government incurred a loss of Rs 6.18 crore in stamp duty for a property "gifted" to Shiv Sena MP Sandipan Bhumre's driver by a descendant of Hyderabad's Salar Jung family, reported news agency PTI.

Jaleel also alleged that a minister pressured authorities to change the name on the land ownership document, though he did not name the individual.

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Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the former All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar demanded an investigation by a high-level committee into the matter.

Bhumre represents the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) Lok Sabha seat, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, his family's driver, Javed Shaikh, has claimed that a descendant of Hyderabad's Salar Jung family granted him a three-acre plot of land, valued at over Rs 150 crore in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, through a ‘hibanama' (gift deed) in February 2023.

The police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is currently probing the driver's claim.

Marathwada, where Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is located, was historically part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state. Salar Jung served as the ‘diwan' (prime minister) to the Nizams of Hyderabad for three decades starting from the 1850s.

Jaleel stated that the ready reckoner rate for the land acquired by Bhumre's driver is Rs 36,190 per square metre. He further claimed that the cost of this land, which he assessed at around 8.5 acres, is nearly Rs 120 crore according to government rates.

Furthermore, he alleged that two bond papers, each worth Rs 500, for the land transfer (in two instalments) via ‘hibanama' were purchased by close associates of Bhumre who are not Muslim.

"They did not register the documents and got them notarised instead. The government lost revenue of Rs 6.18 crore, which was supposed to be paid in the form of stamp duty," he claimed.

However, the land was transferred to Bhumre's driver, Javed Shaikh, in two instalments. Jaleel claimed that in both processes, a public notice (to invite objections) on the land transfer was uploaded, and the driver downloaded it within a few seconds, adding that this also required investigation.

Meanwhile, Jaleel also alleged that a minister exerted pressure on the land transfer authorities to change the name on the ownership document, reported PTI.

"The minister was also supposed to receive one acre of land from this deal, and another half an acre was to be given to those who assisted in taking possession of the land," the former MP claimed, without naming anyone.

For a ‘hibanama' to be valid, the persons executing it should typically be blood relatives, which Jaleel stated is not the case here.

According to PTI, the AIMIM leader demanded that the registered document for this land should be cancelled.

He further claimed that the police investigation into the case was merely a "drama."

"A high-level committee should be formed to investigate this case," Jaleel reiterated.

He also demanded that Bhumre's driver come forward and provide an explanation, and that a case be registered against those involved in the alleged irregularities.

Bhumre could not be contacted for a response.

(with PTI inputs)