Pune land scam: Kharge panel seeks more time; no relief to anyone yet, says Bawankule

Parth Pawar’s mother, Sunetra Pawar was sworn-in as the deputy chief minister of state following Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash near Baramati.

Mundhwa land deal under scrutiny

The sale of 40 acres of land in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area for Rs 300 crore to Amadea Enterprises LLP, where Parth Pawar is a majority partner, came under scrutiny after it emerged that the land belongs to the government and could not be sold. The firm was also allegedly exempted from paying Rs 21 crore in stamp duty, reported PTI. 

The committee has sought an eight-day extension to submit its findings, which the government will grant, Bawankule told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

“The report has not been officially submitted to the state government. Therefore, there is no scope for giving a clean chit to Parth Pawar or anyone else. I urge people not to speculate on such a serious issue and confuse the public,” he said, reported PTI. 

Five-member committee probing the matter

The five-member committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge, is examining alleged procedural lapses in the registration of the purchase deed related to the Mundhwa land. The probe focuses on aspects such as valuation, documentation and the role of officials involved in the registration process.

The panel was constituted in early November amid political controversy and was initially asked to submit its report by December 6 last year. The deadline was later extended twice after the committee sought more time to examine records and responses from multiple departments.

While earlier indications suggested the panel could submit its report by February 6, Bawankule said on Thursday that an additional extension would now be granted.

The committee also includes the Pune divisional commissioner, the commissioner of land registration and director of land records, the inspector general of registration and controller of stamps, and the Pune district collector.

Activists question delays

Meanwhile, Pune-based RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar criticised the repeated extensions, alleging that the probe was being delayed and could eventually turn into a formality. In a post on X, Kumbhar claimed that officials responsible for preventing alleged irregularities were themselves part of the committee, making a fair outcome unlikely. He also raised questions over alleged unpaid stamp duty, arguing that public revenue could not be protected through “clean chits” or shell entities.

Social activist Anjali Damania also questioned the delay in the inquiry. In a post on X earlier this month, she said that if government functioning continued as “business as usual” following Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash, the investigation into the Mundhwa land deal should not be stalled. She demanded that the committee’s report be made public without delay.

Government stance

The state government, however, maintained that appropriate action would be taken after the report is formally submitted.

Asked about the mayoral post in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Bawankule said two to three shortlisted names had been sent to state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan. “The decision will be taken in a core committee meeting today,” he said, reported PTI. 

A decision on whether to give the deputy mayor’s post to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will also be taken, the senior BJP leader added.

Responding to a question about the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) entering the mayoral contest in Mumbai, Bawankule said the move would ensure there is no confusion among its corporators about whom to vote for.

(With PTI inputs)

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