Ajit Pawar Receives Major Relief as I-T Department Returns Seized Assets in Benami Case
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New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) The tenure of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has commenced on a favorable note. Offering significant relief to the NCP chief, the Prevention of Benami Property Transactions Appellate Tribunal has dismissed allegations of benami property ownership against him and his family.
In light of the tribunal's ruling, the Income Tax Department has reinstated his assets, valued at over Rs 1,000 crore, which were seized during the 2021 investigation concerning the benami case.
This tribunal decision arrived just one day after Ajit Pawar took his oath as Maharashtra's Deputy CM alongside Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, coinciding with the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister.
The tribunal determined that there was no compelling evidence to substantiate the claims of benami ownership, concluding that all payments related to the 'properties in question' were made through legitimate methods, thereby absolving them of any benami allegations.
The tribunal remarked, 'There is no evidence to suggest that Ajit Pawar or his family transferred funds to acquire benami properties.'
Advocate Prashant Patil, who represented the NCP leader and his family in the benami proceedings, dismissed all allegations as unfounded and driven by ulterior motives.
He is reported to have provided transaction details proving that all activities were conducted legally via banking channels.
It is important to note that the I-T Department conducted several raids in 2021 at multiple locations, some of which were associated with Ajit Pawar.
The operation involved searches at the residences and offices of individuals connected to Ajit Pawar, including relatives and close associates in the city and surrounding areas.
As a result of these raids, several properties, including a sugar factory in Satara, a flat in Delhi, and a resort in Goa, were attached as part of the investigation.
The I-T Department had attached assets valued at over Rs 1,000 crore in accordance with the Prohibition of Benami Properties Prevention Act (PBPP).
