A prominent citizens' advocacy group in Pune has made a strong appeal to the Maharashtra state government, urging it to formulate a transparent and unambiguous policy concerning government-owned and watan lands. This call to action comes in the wake of the controversial Mundhwa land deal case, which has exposed significant loopholes in the current system.
Ambiguities Breed Corruption, Says Activist
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Vijay Kumbhar, the founder of the Surajya Sangharsha Samiti, highlighted a critical flaw. He stated that the existing laws and regulations governing the re-granting of such lands are riddled with ambiguities. These grey areas, he argued, have created fertile ground for corruption and the blatant misuse of official authority. The group believes that a clear-cut policy is the only way to avert future scandals similar to the one unearthed in Mundhwa.
Demands for Equal Justice and Expanded Probe
Kumbhar was unequivocal in his demand for impartial justice. He emphasised that all individuals accused in the Mundhwa land deal case must be treated equally by the law, without any political interference or favouritism. Furthermore, he called for a thorough investigation into letters that were allegedly written by Parth Pawar, the son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, approximately four years ago. These letters were reportedly sent to the collector's office regarding the Mundhwa land transaction.
"The letter reportedly sent by Parth indicates an intent to benefit from the transaction and appears to urge officials to expedite the transfer of the land," Kumbhar alleged during the press conference. This demand adds a new dimension to the ongoing probe, potentially drawing in high-profile political figures.
Judicial Custody and the Case's Origins
The citizens' group's statements follow a significant development in the case. On Monday, a magistrate ordered judicial custody for 14 days for Sheetal Tejwani, a holder of Power of Attorney (PoA) in the deal. This order came after a recommendation by Pune police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which had interrogated Tejwani in custody from December 4 to December 15.
Kumbhar suggested that Tejwani's fate might not be an isolated one. He claimed that if the details in the official remand report are scrutinised meticulously, several other individuals could face similar legal consequences. The case itself originated from two unlawful orders issued by the now-suspended Pune city tehsildar, Suryakant Yeole. These orders wrongfully granted ownership rights of valuable government land in Mundhwa and Bopodi to private parties. The Khadak police station is currently handling the registered matter.
The citizens' group's intervention underscores the growing public demand for accountability and systemic reform in the management of public land, aiming to protect it from fraudulent transactions and powerful vested interests.
