Maharashtra Dy CM's son Parth Pawar involved in Pune Mahar Watan land deal scandal?

A major land-deal scandal has emerged in Maharashtra after a company in which Parth Pawar is a partner reportedly acquired 43 acres of Mahar Watan land in Pune’s Mundhwa area for just ₹300 crore despite estimated market value of up to ₹1,800 crore. The land, traditionally reserved for the Mahar (Scheduled Caste) community under the ancient Watan system, was subject to allegations of undervaluation, waived duan ty and irregular documentation. The deal has triggered a five-member committee probe by the state government and political uproar by opposition parties.

The firm in question, Amedea Enterprises LLP, lists Parth Pawar and one other partner. The interim report of the Inspector General (Registration) highlighted that the deed recorded a stamp duty payment of ₹500 while the required duty stood at about ₹21 crore, marking one of the key irregularities.

The land—previously leased to the Indian Botanical Survey for nominal rent—was transferred via power of attorney from hundreds of individuals and subsequently sold to Amedea. Opposition parties allege this sale amounted to the diversion of assets from a marginalised community category into private hands at a huge loss to the state.

Allegations, probe, political response

Public scrutiny intensified after the Maharashtra revenue department suspended a sub-registrar and several officials pending probe. The chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the matter as “serious” and instructed the five-member panel to conclude its report within a month.

Opposition parties — including Shiv Sena (UBT) and Indian National Congress — charged that state authorities and police were attempting to shield Parth Pawar from accountability despite naming of other individuals in FIRs tied to the transaction. “Why … have the authorities avoided naming him?” demanded a Sena (UBT) leader.

Parth Pawar’s father, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, categorically denied involvement, stating: “I have never supported any wrongdoing or violation of rules… I didn’t know about the deal at all.” He also announced the cancellation of all documents related to the transaction.

Flashback, past controversies

The Pune deal comes amid a history of corruption allegations involving Ajit Pawar. During his tenure as Irrigation Minister (1999-2009), multiple cost-escalations and inflated contracts under the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation were reported, with estimates of infrastructure value leaping from ₹6,672 crore to ₹26,722 crore in seven months.

In December 2019, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau cleared him of criminal liability in 12 VIDC projects, noting the absence of evidence after inquiry.

Separately, a land-allocation case involving the Lavasa Corporation accused Ajit Pawar’s family of benefitting from cheap leases of dam reservoir real estate near Pune, though no conviction followed.

Next steps

The state government’s probe has been asked to examine valuation, eligibility of Watan land transfer, stamp-duty exemptions and agency involvement in the registration process. A final report and potential FIRs could significantly affect the political prospects of the NCP in the upcoming local elections.

For impacted marginalised-community landholders, the outcome may shape future protections for Mahar Watan land and government-reserved categories. As the probe proceeds, observers will watch whether the case leads to substantive accountability or fades into procedural limbo.