Former Minister Eknath Khadse Faces FIR Over Alleged 2002 Land Grab in Jalgaon District
In a significant development in Jalgaon district, the Bodwad police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint by an 82-year-old resident, Chamelibai Tukaram Tayde. The FIR, filed late on Sunday night, accuses former minister Eknath Khadse, his daughter Sharda, and officials from the sub-registrar's office in Bodwad of colluding to illegally seize her land in 2002 under the guise of establishing a sugar factory.
Details of the Allegations and Land Dispute
According to the complaint, the land in question spans 2.55 hectares and is located at Gat No. 122, Manpur Shivar in Bhusawal taluka. Tayde alleges that the Khadses executed a sale deed for this property under the name "Tapi Purna Sugar and Allied Industries Limited." She claims that between 2002 and 2025, Eknath Khadse exploited his political influence to tamper with original government documents and forge a new sale deed in his daughter Sharda's name, effectively usurping the land.
The complainant asserts that she inherited this land as part of a Mahar Watan gift, classifying it as "Mahar Vatan" or Class 2 land, which cannot be transferred to individuals without government approval. She further alleges that the Khadses promised compensation and employment for her family members in exchange for the land, relying on their political stature to gain trust.
Eknath Khadse's Response and Defense
When contacted, Eknath Khadse vehemently refuted all charges, labeling them as politically motivated. He stated, "The allegations are baseless and driven by political agendas. The land was classified as Class 1, or unalienated land, at the time of the transactions, meaning it was freehold and could be sold without government permission."
Khadse clarified that the land was purchased from an individual named Sudhakar Patil for his daughter Sharda's plans to establish an ethanol-producing company, not a sugar factory. He emphasized, "Given the policies of the PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, my daughter was planning an ethanol project, and the land was bought in her name. Since my name does not appear in the sale deed, how can I be implicated in this?"
He also highlighted that the issue was previously discussed in the State Assembly, where Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed the land's freehold status. Khadse announced his intention to approach the high court to quash the FIR and file private complaints against the involved officers.
Legal Framework and Police Investigation
The FIR has been lodged under multiple legal provisions, including:
- Section 336(2) for forgery involving the creation of false documents.
- Section 318(4) for cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Sub-divisional police officer Anil Badgujar noted that the complaint alleges the land was acquired under false pretenses, with the family discovering in 2025 that no sugar factory had been built and ownership had been transferred to Sharda Eknathrao Khadse. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on the alleged collusion with sub-registrar office officials.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about land rights and political influence in Maharashtra, with potential implications for similar disputes involving vulnerable communities.
