Mumbai, Nov 7 (NationPress) Shiv Sena(UBT) leader and former Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state council Ambadas Danve has urged the Maharashtra government to establish a committee led by a retired judge to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the sale of 40 acres of 'Mahar Watan' land, classified as government property, in Pune's prestigious Mundhwa Koregaon Park area. This transaction is linked to Amadea Enterprises LLP, associated with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar.

Danve criticized the chief minister's plan to initiate an investigation through a committee headed by Revenue Department's Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, asserting that a probe by a retired judge is essential.

He drew parallels to the one-man judicial commission of Justice D.S. Zoting, established in 2016 to investigate allegations against then BJP Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse regarding the acquisition of a three-acre plot in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Area (MIDC) under dubious circumstances. Danve has called for Ajit Pawar's resignation until the inquiry by a retired justice is completed.

In a post on X in Marathi, Danve stated, “The son is involved in a ₹300 crore deal in Pune, and his father (Dy CM Ajit Pawar) claims to be unaware. How can this be justified, especially when he is the guardian minister of Pune? The land was acquired at a rate below the market value. Eknath Khadse resigned; to maintain ethics, you should also step down, @AjitPawarSpeaks.”

He continued, “Following the Justice Zoting Committee's example, the Chief Minister must form a committee for the Koregaon Park case. This is our unequivocal demand.”

Amidst escalating tensions, the state Inspector General and Stamps Controller lodged an FIR late Thursday night at the Bawdhan Police Station in Pune's Pimpri-Chinchwad area, investigating alleged misconduct in a multi-crore land deal involving government-owned property. The transaction, which took place in May 2025, has raised concerns about corruption, undervaluation, and stamp duty evasion, potentially leading to substantial losses for the state exchequer.

Interestingly, the FIR does not directly implicate Parth Pawar but names three individuals accused of collusion, including Digvijay Patil, the authorized signatory for Amadea Enterprises LLP; Shital Tejwani, Parth Pawar's cousin who acted for the original landowners; and Ravindra Taru, the Sub-registrar who oversaw the deal. The Revenue Department has already suspended Taru and Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale for their involvement.

The FIR was filed under Sections 316(5) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 (pertaining to cheating and criminal breach of trust) and Section 59 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act (for stamp duty evasion).

Earlier, Dy CM and NCP president Ajit Pawar distanced himself from the lucrative land transaction in Pune's upscale Mundhwa-Koregaon Park, asserting he had no connection to the deal.

Pawar expressed support for the inquiry initiated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating that the chief minister’s actions were warranted. Ajit Pawar reaffirmed his commitment to legality and called for strict measures if any misuse is identified.

The Dy CM further clarified, “I have never instructed officers to benefit my relatives, near or far. I have never made requests to officials. On the contrary, I advise all officers and employees that if anyone misuses my name or violates regulations, I will not endorse their actions. I operate strictly within the confines of the law and regulations.”

Ajit Pawar also clarified, stating, “I have no ties to the deal and have not ordered any official to favor relatives or party members. If my name has been misappropriated, strict actions should follow.” He informed reporters that further comments on the situation will be made after reviewing all relevant documents and details of the land transaction.