Mumbai, Nov 7 (NationPress) In light of the growing calls for his resignation due to the controversy surrounding a 40-acre land deal valued at Rs 300 crore in Pune's affluent Mundhwa-Koregaon Park region involving his son Parth Pawar, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar announced on Friday the cancellation of the deal following discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Accompanied by party Working President Praful Patel and state unit Chief Sunil Tatkare, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar stated he had urged the Chief Minister to initiate an investigation, which he would fully endorse.

"No financial transaction occurred in this land deal. The documents related to the land transaction have been nullified. A six-member committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, has been established to investigate the alleged irregularities and submit a report. I anticipate that the committee will operate transparently," he added.

He emphasized that there has been no monetary exchange in the Pune land transaction.

Two FIRs have already been filed, with police pledging to conduct a transparent investigation.

Pawar reiterated his lack of awareness regarding the transaction related to the Pune land.

He clarified that the land is classified as Mahar Watan, which prohibits transactions.

The committee will investigate how the sale deed registration was processed, he noted.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar instructed government officials and his staff to resist any external pressure and reject proposals, even those related to relatives, that do not comply with legal frameworks.

"The people of Maharashtra have known me for 35 years. I have committed to gathering complete information about this issue. I had been informed of something similar occurring two to four months ago. I instructed that no wrongful actions take place. However, I am unaware of what transpired in the interim," he stated.

He reiterated that he operates strictly within legal boundaries.

Nevertheless, sources from the revenue department revealed that Amedea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a partner, will be liable for a stamp duty of Rs 21 crore for the original sale deed, including interest, and another Rs 21 crore for the cancellation of that same deed following the controversy.

Chief Minister Fadnavis had previously ordered a high-level investigation by a three-member committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, Vikas Kharge.

Describing the allegations as prima facie serious, the Chief Minister stated the committee would investigate how government land was transferred without proper authorization and why the stamp duty was waived.

He also mentioned that he requested detailed reports from the Revenue and Land Records departments and promised strict action if any violations are uncovered, asserting that "even Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would not condone any wrongdoing."

On Friday, the state government issued a resolution establishing a six-member committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary, comprising the Pune Divisional Commissioner, Commissioner of Land Records, Director of Land Records, Inspector General of Registration, Pune District Collector, and a Joint Secretary serving as member secretary.

The committee will conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry to determine if any irregularities have occurred in the land transactions.

If any irregularities are confirmed, the committee will identify the responsible individuals or officials and recommend appropriate disciplinary or legal actions.

The committee will also suggest measures to restore the land to its original status, if necessary, and recommend strong preventive mechanisms to avoid future incidents.

Chief Minister Fadnavis initiated the probe after former Leader of Opposition in the State Council and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Ambadas Danve accused Ajit Pawar of abusing his power, claiming that land valued at Rs 1,800 crore was purchased for a mere Rs 300 crore with stamp duty of only Rs 500.

"Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar's company Amedia Enterprises LLP, which has a share capital of just Rs 1 lakh, was able to acquire such high-value land. This scam warrants an investigation now," he stated.

The Revenue Department has suspended Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale and Sub-Registrar Ravindra Taru for their involvement in the transaction.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the department would review the case only after receiving a formal complaint from anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania.

The State Inspector General and Stamps Controller registered an FIR late Thursday night at the Bawdhan Police Station in Pune's Pimpri-Chinchwad area, investigating alleged irregularities in a multi-crore land deal involving government-owned property.

The transaction, executed in May 2025, has raised allegations of corruption, undervaluation, and stamp duty evasion, which could lead to significant financial losses for the state.

Interestingly, the FIR does not directly name Parth Pawar but targets three individuals accused of collusion.

The individuals mentioned in the FIR include partner Parth Pawar and Digvijay Patil, authorized signatory of Amedia Enterprises LLP; Shital Tejwani, Parth Pawar's cousin and power of attorney holder for the original landowners' descendants who facilitated the sale; and Ravindra Taru, the Sub-Registrar who executed the deal.

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

The FIR has been 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, Deputy CM Pawar asserted, "I have never instructed officers that my close or distant relatives would benefit. I have never summoned officers for orders. As Deputy Chief Minister, I will inform all officers and employees that if anyone exploits my name for wrongful acts or actions outside the rules, I will not support them. I abide strictly by the law and rules."

He clarified, stating, "I have no connection to the deal and have not directed any official to favor relatives or party members. If anyone has misused my name in this matter, strict action should be taken against them."