Maharashtra Land Controversy: Ajit Pawar's Son Under Fire for Dalit Land Deal and Stamp Duty Waiver

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's family became embroiled in a political controversy last week regarding a land deal executed by his son's company, placing the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in a precarious legal position and creating tension with their coalition partner BJP in Maharashtra.

The controversy centers around government land in Pune reserved for Dalits, leading to accusations of "land theft" against Parth Pawar's Amadea Holdings LLP. Additional allegations emerged regarding a stamp duty waiver granted shortly after the transaction, allowing him to save significant funds and sparking claims of preferential treatment due to his father's ministerial position.

As opposition parties attempted to elevate the issue to national significance, the BJP initiated an investigation to contain the situation. Finding himself cornered, Ajit Pawar publicly denied involvement, stating his son lacked awareness of the legal implications, and confirmed the deal's cancellation.

The transaction causing political turmoil in Maharashtra involves Amedea Holdings LLP, owned by Parth Pawar. The company purchased a 40-acre plot in Pune's prestigious Mundhwa area for approximately Rs 300 crore, despite its market valuation of Rs 1,804 crore, fueling allegations of inappropriate concessions granted to the minister's son.

The company received a stamp duty waiver merely two days following the deal, citing plans for a data center development. Consequently, the firm paid only Rs 500 as stamp duty on the Rs 300 crore transaction.

The land falls under the 'Watan' category reserved for the Mahar community, a Scheduled Caste. According to the Bombay Inferior Village Watans Abolition Act, 1958, such land cannot be transferred without government authorization. Social activist Anjali Damania characterized this as an "office of profit" case and called for Ajit Pawar's resignation from his position as deputy chief minister.

Opposition parties intensified pressure on the government after the controversy erupted last week, targeting the Pawars and state administration while demanding the land's return to government ownership and criminal prosecution.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve highlighted that Amedia possessed capital of only Rs 1 lakh and questioned, "The firm has initiated preparations for an IT park and data center in Koregaon Park (Pune), where real estate values are exceptionally high. How could a company with capital of merely 1 lakh accomplish this, particularly on Mahar Watan land?" He also questioned the stamp duty waiver and why the company's proposal received approval despite lacking relevant experience.

The controversy expanded to national prominence when Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-governed Maharashtra administration. Gandhi, who previously accused the BJP of "vote theft" in other states, described this as "land theft by the government." He characterized it not merely as "robbery" of land designated for Dalits but also as placing a "legal stamp of approval on the theft," referencing the stamp duty exemption.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi asked, "No regard for democracy, nor for the public, nor for the rights of Dalits. Modi ji, your silence speaks volumes-are you staying silent for this reason, because your government is propped up by those very looters who usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived?"

On Friday, Ajit Pawar stated that his son Parth and nephew Digvijay Patil, a partner in Amadea LLP, were unaware the property was government land and denied his office had knowledge of the transaction. He explained they believed the land acquisition was lawful and took action immediately upon learning otherwise.

"The sale deed should not have been executed. The registrar should not have done it. When I learnt of it, I said whoever is involved, it should be examined properly," he remarked, noting that procedural violations by a tehsildar had already been identified.

He advised his son to consider this a learning opportunity and thoroughly examine all future proposals, even if professional consultation fees are required. Asserting his non-involvement in the deal, he commented, "When your children grow up, they do their own business."

Veteran politician Sharad Pawar, who now leads a breakaway faction of the NCP he founded in 1999, also called for an investigation into his grandnephew's firm's land deal to uncover and publicly present the truth.

"The Chief Minister has publicly said that the matter is serious. So, he must conduct an inquiry and place the facts before the people," Pawar Senior stated last Saturday.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis characterized the allegations as "serious" and ordered an investigation on Thursday. Emphasizing his government's intolerance for such irregularities, he stated there was no question of protecting anyone.

"If there are any irregularities, action will definitely be taken against them. Our coalition government believes in transparency; this matter will be probed to determine whether there are any irregularities, and if so, strict action will be taken," Fadnavis declared.

The BJP also responded to ally Ajit Pawar's comment that grown children conduct their own business affairs. "Children can grow up, but they should be obedient. What more can I say about it?" remarked BJP MP Narayan Rane, a known critic of Pawar.

Ajit Pawar reported that an FIR has been filed against three individuals who visited the registrar's office to sign documents, including Patil. His son was not among those three.

On Friday, the Revenue and Forest Department established a high-level committee to investigate the alleged irregularities. Led by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge, the panel will determine if the transaction caused financial loss to the government and submit findings within a month.

Officials indicated the committee will investigate how the land transaction occurred and whether any official or other individual committed procedural violations. It will also recommend preventive measures for similar irregularities in the future.

Parth Pawar's company must now pay double the stamp duty, totaling Rs 42 crore, officials added. A significant portion represents the 7% stamp duty for which the company had requested exemption, as one Amadea partner was informed. This includes 5% duty under the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1% local body tax, and 1% metro cess, with the cancellation deed requiring an additional 7%.