A court in Pune on Tuesday granted a four-day extension to the police custody of Sheetal Tejwani, a key figure being investigated in the controversial Mundhwa land deal case. The Pimpri Chinchwad police had sought further custody for continued interrogation concerning alleged irregularities, including a wrongful stamp duty waiver.
Details of the Alleged Scam and Legal Proceedings
Sheetal Tejwani is under scrutiny for her role in the sale of Mahar Watan land in Mundhwa to Amadea Enterprises LLP. This firm counts Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, among its partners. The land, originally leased to the Botanical Survey of India, was sold without the mandatory state government approval at a price alleged to be far below its market value, alongside a waiver of stamp duty.
Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in this case. One was filed at Khadak police station under Pune police, now transferred to the Economic Offences Wing. The second FIR was registered at Bavdhan police station under Pimpri Chinchwad police, as the land deal was registered at the 'Haveli Number 4' sub-registrar office within its jurisdiction. Tejwani is named in both FIRs because she held the power of attorney for 272 watandars (landholders) for the sale to Amadea Enterprises.
Focus on the Stamp Duty Waiver and Arrests
The Pimpri Chinchwad police have stated that their investigation is primarily focused on the stamp duty waiver, which was allegedly wrongfully obtained for registering the sale deed in May this year. It is claimed that land worth approximately Rs 1,800 crore was sold for only Rs 300 crore, with the company paying a mere Rs 500 in stamp duty. Following the controversy, the firm was served a notice to pay Rs 21 crore in stamp duty.
Based on a complaint from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) office, an FIR was filed at Bavdhan police station on November 6. The accused include Digvijay Patil (Parth Pawar's partner), Sheetal Tejwani, and the now-suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru, who officiated the deal. Taru, arrested on December 7, is currently in judicial custody.
Chronology of Custody and Recent Developments
Sheetal Tejwani's legal journey in this case has seen multiple custody changes. She was first arrested by the Pune city police on December 3. After two police custody remands, she was sent to judicial custody on December 15. The very next day, December 16, the Pimpri Chinchwad police took her into their custody from Yerawada Central Prison. A court then granted them eight days of custody, which was further extended by four days on Tuesday.
In a related development, on December 20, Amadea Enterprises LLP itself filed a civil suit before a Pune court seeking the cancellation of the sale deed registered in May. Sheetal Tejwani has been named as a respondent in this suit.
