Mumbai, November 7, 2025 – Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is facing scrutiny over a controversial land deal in Pune involving his son, Parth Pawar. The deal, which involves a 40-acre plot of land in the Mundhwa area of Pune, has sparked allegations of irregularities and led to a high-level inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The controversy surrounds the sale of "Mahar Watan" land, which traditionally belonged to members of the Mahar community in exchange for hereditary village duties. The opposition alleges that the land, reportedly worth ₹1,800 crore, was sold to Amedea Enterprises LLP, where Parth Pawar is a partner, for a mere ₹300 crore, with an additional stamp duty waiver of ₹21 crore. This has raised questions about potential favoritism and financial irregularities.
Ajit Pawar has distanced himself from the deal, stating that he was unaware of the transaction and has no connection to it. "When your children grow up, they do their own business," the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader said. He also asserted that he would not tolerate any wrongdoing and that the truth should be revealed through an inquiry. "The CM should definitely inquire into the matter and find the truth behind it. All the rules should be followed, and no one should flout the rules. Even those close to me are not allowed to surpass the rules," Pawar stated.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating that "serious issues are coming forward at the primary level". He has appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge to head the probe panel, which will investigate the alleged irregularities in the land deal and whether due procedure was followed.
In connection with the case, the state government has already suspended a tehsildar and a sub-registrar for alleged irregularities in the land registration. The suspended officials are Suryakant Yewale and R.B. Taru. An FIR has also been registered against three persons related to the transaction.
The opposition has been highly critical of the deal, demanding a judicial inquiry. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, calling it "land theft" and alleging that government land reserved for Dalits was sold to the minister's son's company for a fraction of its actual value.
Adding to the controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has accused the revenue and police departments of trying to shield Parth Pawar from legal action. She questioned why authorities have avoided naming Parth Pawar in the inquiry report, despite his signature appearing on documents related to stamp duty exemption. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has further alleged that Parth Pawar owns a company that manufactures country liquor and that Ajit Pawar has made decisions to benefit his son's company.
Amidst the escalating controversy, Ajit Pawar met with Chief Minister Fadnavis, senior NCP leader Praful Patel, and state president Sunil Tatkare in an effort to address the situation. Sources indicate that Ajit Pawar is attempting to distance himself from the controversy and expressed willingness to surrender the land to end the controversy.
According to officials, the land in question is government property and cannot legally be sold to a private entity. Furthermore, as "Mahar Watan" land, it carries restrictions on its sale and transfer. It is alleged that the purchase took place based on a power of attorney given by 272 individuals to Paramount Infrastructures 10-15 years ago, without prior permission from the state government.
The inquiry into the Pune land deal is expected to be completed within a month. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant political ramifications for Ajit Pawar and the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.
