Pune Land Deal: Parth Pawar's Firm Challenges Stamp Duty Notice

Pune, a firm of Parth Pawar, son of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has appealed against the notice issued by the Maharashtra registration department. The notice, which required the firm to pay a stamp duty of ₹21 crore, was to be paid by February 10, sources revealed.

The department had previously ordered Amadea Enterprises LLP and its partner, Digvijay Patil, to pay the stamp duty that was waived during the execution of the sale deed for 40 acres of government land. The deadline for payment was set for February.

A senior official from the department stated on Monday, 'The firm has filed an appeal challenging the order. Now there will be a hearing before the Inspector General Registration.' However, the official did not elaborate on the specific grounds for challenging the original order.

If the stamp duty is not paid, the department has the authority to initiate revenue recovery procedures, which may include bank account seizure and the attachment of immovable property.

The controversial ₹300-crore deal to sell the 40-acre land parcel to Amadea Enterprises LLP came under scrutiny after it was discovered that the land belongs to the government. The firm was exempted from paying the stamp duty, raising significant concerns.

Shital Tejwani, who held a power of attorney for 272 'original watandars' of the land, executed the sale deed and sold the property to Amadea Enterprises LLP, despite knowing that the land belonged to the government and could not be sold. Sub-Registrar Ravindra Taru allegedly facilitated the sale deed.

An FIR was registered against Patil, Tejwani, and Taru by the officials of the Inspector General of Registration for allegedly evading stamp duty. The district administration also registered a case against Patil, Tejwani, and suspended Tehsildar Suryakant Yeole for allegedly executing the sale deed despite knowing that the land belonged to the government. The FIR was registered with the Khadak police station and is currently being investigated by the Economic Offence Wing of the Pune police.

This case highlights the complexities and potential for corruption in land transactions involving government property. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the fate of the deal and the responsibilities of the parties involved.