Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday addressed the growing controversy surrounding a ₹300-crore land transaction in Pune, which allegedly involved his son Parth Pawar and his business partner. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Ajit Pawar stated that neither his son nor the business partner were aware that the 40-acre plot purchased by their company, Amadea Enterprises LLP, in the upscale Mundhwa locality belonged to the government. He announced that the controversial land deal has now been cancelled and confirmed that a government-appointed committee will investigate the matter and submit its findings within a month.

The deputy chief minister explained that the registration of documents associated with the deal had been cancelled, and the relevant affidavits had been submitted to the authorities. Ajit Pawar emphasised that no money had exchanged hands, making it clear that the transaction had not been completed. “The concerned land is government land which cannot be sold. Parth and his partner Digvijay Patil were not aware of this fact. How the registration was done and who is responsible will come out in the probe being headed by ACS Vikas Kharge, and he will submit his report in a month,” he said.

Ajit Pawar further clarified that, based on his knowledge, authorities had not been pressured in any way to transfer the land to his son’s company. He stated that the FIR registered in connection with the deal named three individuals, but did not implicate Parth Pawar. According to the deputy CM, these three persons had personally visited the registrar’s office to sign the documents. “I have told officials that if they find any irregularity in any other land deals involving my relatives, they should scrap the deal and take action,” he added.

The controversy came into the spotlight on Thursday when media reports highlighted that the ₹300-crore sale of government land in Mundhwa could not legally proceed without government permission and that proper stamp duty had allegedly not been paid. Opposition leaders also claimed that the market value of the land was significantly higher, pegged at around ₹1,800 crore, raising questions about the fairness and legality of the transaction.

Ajit Pawar explained that he had immediately spoken to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was in Nagpur at the time, and assured him that appropriate action could be taken by the state government if irregularities were found. He also said he had met with the officials concerned as well as his son to fully understand the facts. He reiterated that neither he nor his office had made any calls, offered help, or played any role or had knowledge of the transaction at any stage.

The deputy CM stressed that while Parth Pawar had believed the deal to be within legal bounds and above board, public life demands that even the perception of wrongdoing be avoided. “Since allegations of wrongdoing have been made, he has agreed to cancel the deal. The required document for cancellation of the sale deed has already been submitted to the registering authority,” Ajit Pawar said. He added that the transaction was limited to an agreement to purchase the land, and no payment had been made by Parth, his company, or any member of the family, nor had possession of the land been taken.

Details of the land deal indicate that the plot was located in the Mundhwa area, near Koregaon Park, one of Pune’s most sought-after localities. The transaction involved Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Pawar is a partner, and was executed on May 20, 2025. Reports noted that stamp duty worth ₹21 crore had reportedly been waived, with only ₹500 paid for the registration of the deal, raising questions about potential irregularities in compliance with the law.

Following media scrutiny, the Pimpri-Chinchwad police registered an FIR against Digvijay Patil, Shital Tejwani, and sub-registrar R.B. Taru. The FIR was based on a complaint filed by the Inspector General of the Registrar’s office, citing alleged misappropriation, cheating, and irregularities in the handling of the stamp duty. Ajit Pawar clarified that these individuals were responsible for completing the registration process and that his son had no involvement in their actions.

Ajit Pawar emphasised that the decision to cancel the deal was aimed at maintaining public trust and ensuring transparency. He underlined the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in public office, stating, “In public life, we must not allow even a suspicion of wrongdoing to emerge.” The move to cancel the deal and submit the relevant affidavits to authorities reflects the government’s effort to ensure accountability and adherence to legal procedures.

The controversy has drawn attention not only because of the high-profile involvement of the deputy chief minister’s family but also due to the substantial value of the land and its strategic location in Pune. The incident highlights the sensitivity around land transactions involving government property and the necessity of following strict legal and administrative protocols.

Ajit Pawar concluded his remarks by reiterating that he and his family were committed to cooperating fully with the government-appointed probe. The ACS-led committee, tasked with investigating the deal, is expected to provide a detailed report within a month. The state government’s actions, including the suspension of the sub-registrar and the FIR against other individuals involved, indicate a systematic approach to uncovering any irregularities and ensuring that proper procedures were followed.

By cancelling the deal and initiating an impartial investigation, the Maharashtra government aims to send a clear message regarding the handling of government assets and the importance of transparency in transactions involving high-value land. Ajit Pawar’s statements seek to reassure the public that neither his son nor his office had intentionally circumvented any legal process and that any issues that arose were being addressed in a lawful and transparent manner.

The case is expected to remain in the spotlight as the government’s probe progresses, with the potential to uncover procedural lapses and administrative responsibilities. In the meantime, the deputy CM’s proactive engagement, including discussions with the Chief Minister and relevant officials, underscores the seriousness with which the state leadership is treating the matter.