Pune, Nov 8 (NationPress) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Ajit Pawar stated on Saturday that had he been aware of the land deal in Pune's affluent Mundhwa-Koregaon Park involving his son Parth Pawar, he would have prohibited it from proceeding.

He further mentioned that the sale deed does not constitute a valid transaction for such land (Mahar Watan), and now it is necessary to investigate how this transaction occurred.

He emphasized that the committee spearheaded by the state's Revenue Department Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge will conduct a comprehensive investigation into this issue.

This statement comes a day after he declared the annulment of a sale deed for a 40-acre land purchase valued at Rs 300 crore in Pune's Mundhwa-Koregaon Park, linked to his son’s company Amedea Enterprises LLP, which sparked significant controversy in state politics.

It was also revealed that the stamp duty of Rs 21 crore was waived for the sale deed.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar remarked, "The state government must not be adversely affected by such dealings. Certain individuals showed audacity, and the truth will emerge once an investigation is conducted into how this transaction was executed. How could a transaction that is unregistrable occur? In this instance, a sale deed cannot be created. Yet, it remains unclear how this transaction transpired. We need to investigate if any external pressure was involved."

Regarding another land transaction in Pune's Bopodi area involving his son Parth Pawar, the Deputy CM clarified, "We had no connections with anyone in Bopodi, yet our family name was implicated. Had I been aware of this transaction, I would have certainly prevented it."

He reiterated that the six-member committee led by the state's Revenue Department Additional Chief Secretary will conduct a thorough examination, and the facts will be revealed.

Responding to a query about why no FIR was filed against his son Parth Pawar in this matter, Deputy CM Pawar stated, "I observed Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's remarks, in which he indicated that an FIR has been lodged against the individuals present at the registration office during this transaction. The truth is expected to surface within a month following the investigation."

Interestingly, the FIR does not directly implicate Parth Pawar but accuses three individuals of collusion.

The FIR names include Digvijay Patil, authorized signatory in Amadea Enterprises LLP; Shital Tejwani, cousin of Parth Pawar and holder of power of attorney for the original landowners' descendants; and Ravindra Taru, the Sub-registrar who facilitated the deal.

The Revenue Department has already suspended Taru and Suryakant Yewale, the Tehsildar, for their involvement in the transaction.

In a related note, Ajit Pawar's uncle and NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar, commenting on the Pune land deal controversy involving Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar and Amedea Enterprises LLP, remarked that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has termed it a serious matter and therefore an investigation should be conducted, presenting the actual scenario to the public.

Pawar stated, "I cannot comment further. However, since the Chief Minister has identified it as a serious issue, an inquiry should be conducted, and the true situation must be clarified to the public."

"The state government has established an inquiry committee for this matter. Consequently, we should observe what findings emerge from this committee's report," he concluded.