Ajit Pawar Defends Son Parth Over Pune Land Purchase — Says Details 'Not Known at the Time'
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has publicly defended his son Parth after a controversy erupted over a high-value Pune land purchase. Ajit Pawar said that the property details “were not known at the time” and the sale agreement has since been cancelled amid public scrutiny and demands for investigation. Media reports indicate the buyer’s firm may now face a substantial stamp-duty payment to cancel the deal.
- Ajit Pawar says Parth was not aware of certain property details when the purchase was made.
- The sale agreement has been cancelled and the firm may need to pay roughly ₹42 crore in stamp duty/penalties to effect cancellation.
- Local authorities have come under scrutiny; a sub-registrar has reportedly been suspended amid probe.
What happened — the short version
Reports say Parth Pawar’s firm entered into a sale agreement for a large tract of land near Mundhwa, Pune. Questions were raised about whether the land was government/agency land, valuation, procedural approvals and proper stamp duty payment. Facing political pressure, Ajit Pawar announced the sale agreement's cancellation and said relevant documents for cancellation were tendered to the registering authority.
Financial and legal implications
Media outlets report that cancelling the sale deed could attract stamp duty and penalties — estimates around ₹42 crore have been cited — because the cancellation itself may be treated as a fresh transaction for stamp-duty calculation. Investigations may also look at whether correct procedures were followed during registration and whether public officials acted appropriately.
Political fallout and next steps
The controversy has prompted calls for a probe from opposition parties, while senior leaders have said investigations should proceed. Expect official probes, possible departmental action against involved registrars or officers, and continued political debate in Maharashtra. The ultimate outcomes will depend on findings from revenue/registration authorities and any formal inquiries.
What readers should watch for
- Official cancellation documentation and the stamp-duty demands or receipts.
- Any FIRs, CBI/ED involvement, or state government inquiries into registration processes or allegations.
- Statements from opposition parties and responses from the NCP leadership concerning transparency and accountability.