Pune Land Deal Scandal: High Court Questions Police Over Deputy CM's Son Parth Pawar
The Bombay High Court has raised significant questions regarding the Pune police's actions in the ongoing land deal scandal involving Parth Pawar, the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. During a pre-arrest bail plea hearing for accused Sheetal Tejwani, a single bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar voiced concerns about the apparent lack of investigation into Parth Pawar's involvement.
Is this the case where the deputy CM's son is involved? Justice Jamdar enquired during the hearing. Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh confirmed that Parth Pawar is indeed a key figure in the case. The judge then went on to question the police's integrity, asking, 'Is the police protecting the son of the deputy CM and only investigating the others? You are investigating everyone but the one person who you should be investigating, you are not calling him?'
The court's observations are particularly significant given the widespread criticism from the Maharashtra Opposition and social activists. They have consistently questioned why Parth Pawar has not been named in the FIR, despite his involvement in the Amadea company, which is at the center of the scandal.
In November, an FIR was filed against the Amadea company, owned by Parth Pawar. The company had purchased 40 acres of prime land in Pune, valued at Rs 1,800 crore, for a mere Rs 300 crore. This discrepancy in the land valuation has raised numerous red flags and sparked public outrage. Sheetal Tejwani, one of the accused, had attempted to broker a deal with the Amadea company, claiming she had the power of attorney from the seller.
The Bombay High Court's intervention has added pressure on the Pune police to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation. The court's questions highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of this high-profile case. As the investigation continues, the public and political observers will be closely watching to see if Parth Pawar is brought to justice, or if the allegations of protection and favoritism hold true.
The implications of this case extend beyond the immediate scandal, touching on broader issues of corruption, political influence, and the integrity of law enforcement in Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court's scrutiny is a crucial step in ensuring that justice is served and that no one, regardless of their political connections, is above the law.
