Pune EOW Intensifies Probe in High-Profile Land Deal
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune City Police has taken significant steps forward in investigating the controversial Mundhwa land deal that involves a firm co-owned by Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. On November 21, 2025, investigators recorded statements from eight Mahar Watandars - the original holders of land grants - as part of their ongoing probe into alleged irregularities.
The Core Allegations and Key Players
At the heart of the investigation lies Amadea Enterprises LLP, a company where Parth Pawar serves as partner. The case originated from an FIR lodged by Pravina Borde, the sub-divisional officer for Pune sub-division, at Khadak police station on November 7. The complaint highlighted suspicious activities involving two separate land parcels located in Bopodi and Mundhwa areas of Pune.
Police officials confirmed that ten Mahar Watandars were summoned for questioning, with eight providing formal statements. Among those already questioned is Sheetal Tejwani, who held power of attorney for 272 watandars of Mahar watan land in Mundhwa specifically for its sale to Amadea Enterprises LLP.
Expanding List of Accused and Legal Charges
The FIR names nine individuals as accused, including:
- Suspended Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale
- Digvijay Amarsinh Patil, director of Amadea Enterprises LLP
- Hemant Gawande, power of attorney holder for Vision Property
- Rajendra Ramchandra Vidhwans, Rushikesh Madhav Vidhwans, and Mangal Madhav Vidhwans - all Pune residents
- Vidyanand Avinash Puranik from Indore
- Jayshree Sanjay Ekbote from Mumbai's Colaba area
- Sheetal Tejwani
All accused face multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 201, 316(2), 316(5), 318(4), 336(3), 336(4), 338, 340(2), 6(2) and 3(5).
Specific Allegations and Government Land
The investigation focuses on two major land parcels with significant value. The Mundhwa property, previously classified as Mahar Watan land, was government-owned and leased to the Botanical Survey of India. The FIR alleges that accused individuals, including Gawande and the Vidhwans family, wrongfully sought possession of government-owned land at Survey Number 62 in Bopodi, measuring approximately five hectares and 35 acres.
Suspended Tehsildar Yewale stands accused of misusing his official position between February 12, 2024, and July 1, 2025, by issuing orders favorable to the accused while performing duties at the Mamledar Kacheri in Shukrawar Peth.
Financial Implications and Political Fallout
The Mundhwa land deal involves particularly serious allegations, including a suspicious stamp duty waiver amounting to Rs 5.89 crore for approximately 40 acres of prime real estate in the Mundhwa-Koregaon Park area. The property's location in one of Pune's most valuable neighborhoods adds to the seriousness of the allegations.
The controversy reached such heights that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar publicly announced the cancellation of the agreement related to this land deal. Meanwhile, Yewale secured interim anticipatory bail from a court on November 13.
Adding another layer to the investigation, a separate FIR has been registered at Bavdhan police station under Pimpri Chinchwad police jurisdiction concerning the Mundhwa land parcel. This case names Patil, Tejwani, and Ravindra Taru, the suspended sub-registrar who officially registered the deal in May earlier this year.
The EOW's continued investigation and statement recordings indicate the case remains active, with potential for further developments as more evidence comes to light regarding the alleged fraudulent land transactions.
