Massive Pune Land Scam Exposed: ₹300 Crore Deal, Only ₹500 Stamp Duty Paid
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Maharashtra's political corridors, a massive land deal in Pune's prime Mundhwa area has exposed glaring irregularities in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated scam. The controversy involves a transaction valued at approximately ₹300 crore where the government received only ₹500 as stamp duty instead of the legitimate ₹6 crore that should have been paid.
The scandal came to light after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the land deal involving Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Following the Chief Minister's intervention, an FIR has been lodged against three individuals, while multiple government departments are now under scanner for their questionable roles in the transaction.
Government Departments in Dark About Mega Deal
The district collectorate has confirmed that its mandatory permission was never obtained before the sale deed was signed for the land, whose market valuation is stated to be over ₹1,800 crore. Even more curiously, the office of the Inspector General of Revenue (IGR) claimed complete ignorance about the entire transaction.
Santosh Hingane, Joint District Registrar, revealed the shocking discrepancy in stamp duty payments. "The government has received only ₹500 in the name of stamp duty. It should have been either around Rs 6 crore or Rs 21 crore," he stated, highlighting the massive revenue loss to the state exchequer.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi categorically stated that his permission was never sought for the deal. "The land is in government possession… Sale deed was never executed. My permission was not taken," he asserted, raising serious questions about how the transaction proceeded without mandatory approvals.
Mahar Vatandars Cheated, Demand CBI Investigation
The land in question, spanning 40 acres in the premium Mundhwa area near Koregaon Park, has a complex history. Originally designated as Mahar Watan land, it was given on a 15-year lease to the central government in 1977 for developing a botanical garden. The lease was subsequently extended for 50 years in 1988, with the government promising to return the land to Mahar Vatandars.
Milind Gaikwad, president of the Mahar Watan Adhikar Parishad, disclosed how community members were systematically cheated. "At least 20 Mahar Vatandars were told they would get their land, which was given on lease to the government. Each of them were given a cheque of ₹5,000. Cheques of at least 10 of them bounced," he revealed, underscoring the fraudulent nature of the transaction.
Angered by the systematic cheating, Mahar Vatandars staged protests in Pune on Friday, demanding a CBI probe into the entire land deal to uncover the complete truth and bring all responsible parties to justice.
Multiple Departments Under Scanner
The investigation has revealed a web of confusion and possible collusion among various government departments. The Industry Department had issued a Letter of Intent for setting up an IT park on the land, which the registration authorities are now scrutinizing.
Rajendra Muthe, Joint Inspector General of Registration, who heads the committee investigating the deal, confirmed that the sub-registrar responsible for the land deal has been suspended. "We have directed for FIR to be filed against those who submitted fake 7/12 documents and those who accepted the same," he stated.
Muthe also highlighted additional irregularities, noting that even if stamp duty exemption under industrial policy was applicable, the sub-registrar should have collected 2 per cent Metro Cess and LBT amounting to approximately ₹6 crore, which was completely waived improperly.
The IGR's office has been given seven days to submit its detailed report on the probe, while the government will decide about investigating other departments involved in this massive financial scandal that has exposed serious loopholes in Maharashtra's land transaction system.
