In the last few days, there has been one news item that is gaining prominence in Maharashtra newspapers and on social media, which is that of a land scam supposedly committed by a company owned by Parth Pawar, who is the son of Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM of Maharashtra. The government land in Mundhwa (Pune) at the centre of controversy is reserved for Dalits, and this led to land theft charges against Partha Pawar’s Amedea Holdings Ltd.
This incidence has led the National Congress Party (NCP) in legal trouble and odds with its ally in BJP in Maharashtra. Other than land theft charge, there is one more charge against Parth’s company is of a stamp duty waiver soon after the deal, which helped him save crores of rupee and led to allegations that he received an undue advantage since he is Dy CM’s son.
With the opposition trying to turn it into a national issue, the BJP resorted to firefighting mode and opened an inquiry. Left cornered, Ajit Pawar publicly denied any role. He said his son was unaware of legal implications and confirmed that the deal has now been scrapped.
The Scam Charges
The deal that has caused a stir in Maharashtra politics involves Amedea Holdings, owned by Parth Pawar. The company had purchased the 40 acre plot in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area for around Rs 300 Cr, despite its market value being a whooping Rs 1804 Cr, raising allegations of undue concessions given to Parth Pawar, being Dy CM’s son. The firm also received a stamp duty waiver just two days after the deal, citing that a data centre could come up on the land. The company just paid Rs 500 as stamp duty on this Rs 300 Cr transaction.
The land fell under the ‘Watan’ category reserved for the Mahar community, a Scheduled Caste. Such land cannot be sold under Bombay Inferior Village Watans Abolition Act, of 1958, without government permission. Calling this an “office of profit” case, social activists are demanding Ajit Pawar’s resignation as the Dy CM.
How it Erupted
The Opposition upped the ante on the government last week after the issue exploded. It targeted the Pawars and the State government, demanding that the land be returned to the government and a criminal case be filed.
As per opposition the company Amedea Holdings had a capital of just Rs 1 lakh and said “ The firm has started preparations to build and IT park and data centre right in Koregaon Park (Pune), where real estate prices are sky-high. How was this possible for a company with a capital of Rs 1 lakh. Questioning the stamp duty waiver, Opposition is asking why the the company’s proposal was accepted despite lacking prior experience.
The controversy has snowballed into a national issue with the Opposition parties calling it a “land theft by the government”. It was not just robbery of land reserved for Dalits but also a ‘legal stamp of approval on the theft’, referring to stamp duty waiver.
What the Pawars said
Ajit Pawar, on last Friday, said “his son Parth and nephew Digvijay Patil, a partner in Amedea were not aware that it was government land and denied that his office had any knowledge about the transaction. They thought the land was within the bounds of law. 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”, and added that procedural lapses by Tehsildar have already been identified.
( In my opinion, what Ajit Pawar is telling is all lies. It is well known fact that without his blessings no government file could have moved and no registrar would have waived the stamp duty).
BJP Takes on Ally
CM Devendra Fadnavis described the charges as serious, and ordered an inquiry on last Thursday. Asserting that government won’t tolerate such irregularities, and there was no question of saving anyone. He further added that “If there are any irregularities, action will definitely taken against them. Our coalition government believes in transparency, this matter will be probed to determine whether there are any irregularities, and if so actions will be taken”.
Government Action
Ajit Pawar said that an FIR has been filed against three persons who visited registrar’s office to sign the documents, including Digvijay Patil. Parth Pawar was not among those three. The other two are Sheetal Tejwani and Sub registrar. Sheetal was the central figure as she was the holder of the Power of Attorney for this 40 acre land parcel. She is accused of conspiring to execute the sale deed of to Amedea without the necessary government clearances.
A high-level panel was formed by the Revenue and Forest Department on last Friday to probe into alleged irregularities, the panel would examine if the transaction led to any financial loss to the government and submit its report within a month.
Parth Pawar’s company will now have to cough up double the stamp duty, amounting to Rs 42 Cr. A major portion of the amount is the 7% stamp duty on which the company had sought an exemption. This includes 5% duty under the Maharashtra Stamp Duty Act, 1% local body tax, and 1% metro cess. Besides the cancellation deed could cost another 7%.
In the end, the Pawars are very well known for these types of deals, unfortunately this deal has come into open, and they will have to face the charges and consequences.
Waiting for a feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
10th November 2025