Pune: A fresh First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the controversial ₹300-crore land transaction in Pune involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar. The latest FIR names Parth Pawar’s business partner, Digvijay Patil, along with Shital Tejwani and suspended revenue official Suryakant Yewale, for alleged misappropriation, cheating, and forgery. The case was lodged at Khadak police station and has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing for further investigation, authorities said.

The development comes a day after an initial FIR was filed against Patil, Tejwani, and sub-registrar R.B. Taru over irregularities in the same deal. According to Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi, the fresh FIR was filed based on a complaint by a naib tehsildar, following a preliminary inquiry that revealed Yewale’s involvement in allegedly facilitating the illegal transfer of government land to private parties.

The FIR alleges that in order to take possession of the Mundhwa property, Patil submitted an application to Yewale, who allegedly issued notices to the land occupants to vacate the premises, despite the land being government-owned. The collector noted that Yewale has a history of allegedly misusing his authority in similar transactions.

Authorities said the FIR also named six other individuals linked to a separate contentious land deal in Bopodi, near Pune. Records indicate that the land belonged to the state agriculture department, yet Yewale reportedly issued orders recognizing five private individuals as rightful owners, highlighting a recurring pattern of irregularities in his conduct.

The initial controversy surrounding the Mundhwa land deal emerged when it was revealed that the 40-acre property, purchased by Amadea Enterprises LLP—where Parth Pawar is a partner—was government-owned. Allegations surfaced that the stamp duty on the transaction was waived, leading to a potential loss to the state exchequer. Shital Tejwani, who held power of attorney on behalf of 272 purported landowners, allegedly executed the sale, raising further questions about the legality of the transaction.

Following public scrutiny and media reports, Ajit Pawar had earlier stated that neither his son nor his office had any knowledge of the land being government property and confirmed that the transaction had been cancelled. A probe has been ordered under ACS Vikas Kharge, with a report expected within a month. The deputy CM emphasized that no payment had been made, and the possession of the land was never taken, effectively rendering the deal incomplete.

The registration of this fresh FIR underscores the widening scope of the investigation, which now extends beyond Patil and Tejwani to include officials allegedly complicit in the illegal facilitation of the land transfer. The Economic Offences Wing is expected to examine the entire chain of transactions, the roles of government officials, and the documentation submitted to authenticate the sale.

Political observers noted that the case has sparked a major controversy in Maharashtra, with opposition parties highlighting the transaction as emblematic of alleged misuse of political influence for private gain. Meanwhile, authorities are closely scrutinizing the role of administrative officials in facilitating such deals and ensuring compliance with rules governing the sale of government property.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and authorities are expected to question all involved parties, review records, and examine any irregularities in the registration process. The outcomes of these inquiries could have broader implications for accountability and governance in government land transactions across the state.

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