The Bombay High Court has questioned the Maharashtra police over why NCP Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar was not named as an accused in the controversial Mundhwa land deal case despite holding a 99% stake in the company involved in the transaction.
Justice Madhav Jamdar raised the question during a hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of suspended Pune tehsildar Suryakant Yewale, who has been named as an accused in the case.
The court noted that Digvijay Patil, who holds a 1% stake in Amadea Enterprises LLP, had been named as an accused, while Parth Pawar, who holds 99% of the company, was not.
“Is the person who is having 99% share, Parth Pawar, not a beneficiary of this transaction?” the court orally asked the investigating authorities, according to reports of the proceedings.
The court had earlier, on September 7, sought an explanation from Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date and the investigating officer on why Pawar had not been named in the case.
DGP Calls for More Detailed Probe
In an affidavit filed before the High Court on September 24, DGP Sadanand Date said that a detailed scrutiny of the investigation papers indicated the need for a “more professional and detailed investigation”.
Date said instructions had been issued to the Pune Commissioner of Police to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the named accused and other suspects. The Pune police commissioner was also directed to review the progress of the probe every week and submit a report to the DGP’s office after six weeks, citing the sensitivity of the case and concerns raised about the investigation.
What Is the Mundhwa Land Case?
The case relates to alleged irregularities surrounding the purchase of around 40 acres of government-owned Mahar Watan land in Pune’s Mundhwa area by Amadea Enterprises LLP.
According to the case details reported by Hindustan Times and other outlets, the land was valued at around Rs 1,800 crore but was allegedly acquired for Rs 300 crore, along with a Rs 21 crore stamp duty exemption. The FIR alleges that the transaction took place without the mandatory state government approval.
The land had reportedly been leased to the Botanical Survey of India. The sale deed in question has also been cancelled by a civil court, according to submissions recorded during the High Court proceedings.
Apart from Yewale, the police have named Digvijay Patil, suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru and power-of-attorney holder Shital Tejwani as accused in the FIR and subsequent charge sheet, according to Hindustan Times.
Yewale has denied involvement in the transaction and claimed he was falsely implicated. The High Court granted him anticipatory bail during Thursday’s hearing.
