Mundhwa land deal probe: Maharashtra Govt grants another month’s extension to Kharge committee

The Maharashtra Government Wednesday gave another month-long extension to the high-level committee formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the Mundhwa land deal in Pune involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar’s firm.

The committee was originally supposed to submit its report on December 7 but was given a month’s extension at that time as well. Activists have strongly criticised these repeated extensions.

Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Forests Department, leads the committee. The January 7 order signed by Joint Secretary of Maharashtra Satyanarayan Bajat said, “In accordance with the discussions held in the committee meeting…a proposal to extend the term of the said committee was submitted to the Government for approval. Considering the approval given by the Government, an extension of 1 month is being given to submit the report.”

RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, who has unearthed various documents in relation to the alleged irregularities, strongly criticised the second extension provided to the committee. In a statement, Kumbhar said that the revenue officers in the committee, who are responsible for preventing such deals in the first place, are now delaying the inquiry to shield the main beneficiary.

He said, “As expected, the Kharge committee gets yet another extension. This scam is a glaring example of government negligence and inaction. The committee was expected to shed light on who is guilty, who benefited, and who is responsible in the controversial sale to Sheetal Tejwani’s entities.”

Kumbhar added, “Protecting him seems more important than upholding the law or duty. The key beneficiary remains outside the probe’s reach! This isn’t a committee for justice; it’s a planned cover-up of the scam and its protection.”

The Pune police are also investigating the alleged irregularities in two separate FIRs filed in the city. The sale deed for the piece of Mahar Watan land in Koregaon Park, Mundhwa, was executed between one Sheetal Tejwani, who held a power of attorney on behalf of 272 original owners, and the firm Amadea Enterprises LLP, owned by Parth Pawar.

The district administration and the state government have repeatedly termed the deal as illegal. The police have arrested sub-registrar Ravindra Taru, who registered the sale deed, and Sheetal Tejwani.