Pune land deal report indicts sub-registrar, 2 others; Parth Pawar not mentioned
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Pune (PTI): A Joint Inspector General of Registration (IGR) headed committee, in its report into a controversial Rs 300-crore land deal of a Pune firm co-owned by Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son Parth, has indicted the three persons named in the related police FIR, an official said.
The report of the three-member panel, submitted on Tuesday, however did not mention Parth Pawar himself as his name did not appear on any document, the senior official told PTI.
Joint IGR Rajendra Muthe, who headed the committee, submitted the report to IGR Ravindra Binwade, who forwarded it to Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar.
The sale of 40 acres of land in Pune's upscale Mundhwa area to Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a partner, came under the scanner after it emerged the plot belongs to the government and could not be sold, and the firm was exempted from the payment of Rs 21 crore in stamp duty.
"Since Parth Pawar's name does not come on record in the entire sale deed, he can not be indicted in the probe. The report, however, indicted all those who are directly involved in the deal, including suspended government official (sub-registrar) Ravindra Taru," said the official.
The other two named in the report were Digvijay Patil (Parth Pawar's business partner and cousin) and Sheetal Tejwani (who held the power of attorney on behalf of the land sellers). Taru, Patil, and Tejwani are named as accused in a First Information Report registered by police.
The inquiry committees of the revenue department and settlement commissioner will also submit their respective reports. All three reports will be then forwarded to additional chief secretary (revenue) Vikas Kharge, heading a six-member panel constituted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to probe the land deal which was later scrapped, the official said.
The Muthe committee report also recommended measures to prevent such fraudulent deals in the future, he said.
According to the report, in cases where a stamp duty waiver has been sought, the collector (stamp) must vet and approve them.
Citing Section 18-K of the Registration Act, 1908, the report noted documentation can be completed only when a 7/12 extract (a crucial land record document) not older than one month is presented, along with all documents establishing ownership of the real estate in question.
"As per the notification issued on April 20, 2025, an amendment has been made to the Registration Act, 1908. It has been made mandatory for all sub-registrars to not execute registration of documents related to the sale or purchase of government-owned properties," it emphasised.
However, the Muthe report noted this provision is currently limited only to cases involving established government ownership.
The report recommended that same restriction should be applied in cases where government ownership, possession, or interest are not clearly established.
Meanwhile, IGR's office has given seven days to Amadea Enterprises to submit its say on the notice seeking payment of Rs 42 crore as stamp duty upon the cancellation of the Mundhwa land deal.
"The firm wanted 15 days, but we have given them seven days to reply to the notice," said an official from the IGR office.
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PM Modi embarks on three-nation visit beginning with Jordan
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman -- countries which enjoy civilizational ties and exceptional bilateral relations with India.
"First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," the prime minister said in his departure statement.
Modi will hold detailed discussions with Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and will also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, the prime minister will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
The prime minister will also hold discussions with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and meet the Indian diaspora.
"On the final leg of my journey, I will visit the Sultanate of Oman. My visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Oman," Modi said.
In Muscat, the prime minister will hold discussions with the Sultan of Oman on strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as a strong commercial and economic relationship.
"I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country's development and in enhancing our partnership," Modi said.
