Pune Land Deal Row: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar distances himself from son Parth, says ‘no legal advice taken’

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has distanced himself from son Parth’s controversial Pune land deal, saying he wasn’t consulted or informed. With two probes now underway, questions arise was this a mere oversight or something deeper in the state’s power corridors?

Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday clarified his stance over the controversial Pune land deal involving his son, Parth Pawar. The senior NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader said that he had no prior knowledge of the transaction and that his son had not sought any legal advice before going ahead with it.

“In any deal, we first verify the documents through legal advisors. That did not happen in this case. I was also not aware of it; otherwise, I would have told them not to go ahead with the deal,” Ajit Pawar told reporters in Pune.

Two committees to probe Pune land deal

The state government has constituted two committees to investigate the controversial transaction. One of the panels is headed by the Joint Inspector General of Registration (IGR) and has been asked to submit its findings within seven days. The other, led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, will look into the broader Mundhwa land deal case and submit its report within a month.

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According to Pawar, the committees will not only identify irregularities but also recommend preventive measures to ensure government-owned land is not misused in the future. “Along with the inquiry, the committee will give suggestions to the government on how to avoid such deals involving government lands in future,” he said.

FIR excludes Parth Pawar’s name

An FIR has been registered at the Bavdhan police station in connection with the deal. The complaint names Parth’s business partner Digvijay Patil, power of attorney holder Sheetal Tejwani, and suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru. However, Parth Pawar’s name does not figure in the FIR despite his 99% shareholding in the company involved.

This omission has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who accused the government of shielding the deputy CM’s son. Responding to the allegations, Ajit Pawar said, “The FIR has been filed against those who signed the documents. Parth was not among those signatories.”

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Opposition seeks resignation, Pawar refuses

The opposition has demanded Ajit Pawar’s resignation, alleging conflict of interest in the case. The Deputy CM, however, dismissed the demand, terming it politically motivated. “In my 35 years of political career, I have faced several allegations, none of which were proven. These controversies usually emerge before elections and fade once polls are over,” he said.

Pawar recalls earlier controversies

Referring to past allegations, Ajit Pawar cited the 2009-10 irrigation scam controversy, in which he was later cleared. “There were allegations against me in the irrigation scam, but they were never proven. A white paper was issued, and everything was clarified,” he said.

As the two inquiry panels begin their investigation, the controversy has once again placed the spotlight on land transactions involving politically connected individuals in Maharashtra’s rapidly growing real estate sector.