Mundhwa Land Deal Scandal: Sub-Registrar Arrested
The recent arrest of Ravindra Taru, a sub-registrar in Pune, has sparked significant attention due to a controversial land deal involving Amadea Enterprises LLP, a firm linked to Parth Pawar, the son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The deal concerns a 40-acre parcel of land in Mundhwa, categorized as Mahar watan land, which is traditionally protected from sale without government approval.
As per reports, the land was sold for a mere Rs 300 crore, despite its actual market value being estimated at over five times that amount. This has raised serious questions about the legality of the transaction and potential corruption within the registration process. The Pimpri Chinchwad police have initiated an investigation, following a complaint from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) highlighting irregularities in the deal.
The FIR filed against several individuals, including Digvijay Patil, Parth Pawar's partner, indicates that they may have manipulated the sale process. Tejwani, who held the power of attorney for the original landowners, was arrested by the Pune city police and is currently in custody. Authorities are looking into whether she received the payment for the land and whether the original landowners, the 272 watandars, received any money from the transaction at all.
This case highlights the issues surrounding land rights, especially concerning Scheduled Caste communities like the Mahars, who historically faced exploitation. The term "watan" refers to hereditary land grants, and such lands are meant to be protected from arbitrary sales. The ongoing investigations are crucial to ensuring justice and transparency in land dealings, particularly given the political implications of this case.
As the probe continues, it becomes increasingly vital for the government to uphold ethical standards in land transactions, safeguarding the rights of vulnerable communities. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how similar land deals are managed in the future, emphasizing the importance of accountability in public office.
