Maharashtra Minister Defends Rs 42 Crore Stamp Duty Notice in Pune Land Deal
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has officially confirmed that the Rs 42 crore stamp duty notice issued in connection with a controversial Pune land deal involving a firm linked to deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar is fully compliant with legal provisions.
Minister's Detailed Examination
Addressing media representatives on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Minister Bawankule stated that he had personally reviewed the matter following his announcement the previous day. After thorough examination, it was established that the Registration and Stamps Department had conducted a comprehensive investigation into the transaction and taken appropriate legal action.
The minister revealed crucial details about the financial aspects of the deal, explaining that the original transaction was recorded at Rs 300 crore, with Rs 21 crore stamp duty already collected on this amount. However, the transaction involved government land and was technically invalid, requiring cancellation through a reconveyance process.
Legal Provisions and Additional Liability
According to Minister Bawankule, the Stamp Act mandates an additional Rs 21 crore stamp duty during the reconveyance process, bringing the total stamp duty liability to Rs 42 crore. He emphasized that the transaction was fundamentally flawed because government land was sold without proper authorization, making it a bogus transaction.
The land must be reverted to the government, but stamp duty remains chargeable on the value declared in the transaction documents as per the Indian Stamp Act. The minister clarified that the declared amount in the document is what matters for stamp duty purposes, not the title validity.
Quoting the clarification provided by the Inspector General of Registration and Stamps, Bawankule reiterated that the department's notice strictly follows legal requirements. He also informed that a committee is currently preparing a detailed report on the entire transaction, and the final decision will be made after receiving this comprehensive analysis.
The minister's statement comes amid growing public interest in the high-value land deal and ensures transparency in the government's handling of the matter according to established legal frameworks.
