Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said his son Parth and his business partner were unaware that the land their company purchased in Pune belonged to the government, adding that the controversial deal has since been cancelled.
The NCP leader’s remarks come amid a massive controversy over the land purchase, marred by allegations of undervaluation, procedural irregularities, and misuse of political influence in the acquisition of a 40-acre plot. The land, which belonged to the government, was reportedly sold to Amedea Enterprises, a firm in which Parth is a partner, for around Rs 300 crore, while its actual market value is alleged to be nearly Rs 1,800 crore.
Ajit Pawar said a government-appointed committee probing the Rs 300-crore deal will submit its report within a month.
“The registration of documents related to the deal has been cancelled, and affidavits to this effect have been submitted to the authorities. Not a single rupee has changed hands. The land in question is government property and cannot be sold. Parth and his partner, Digvijay Patil, were unaware of this fact,” Pawar said.
He added, “How the registration was carried out and who is responsible will be revealed in the enquiry headed by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, who will submit his report within a month.
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