Pune Land Scam: Government Initiates Termination of Two Revenue Officers

MUMBAI: With the Vikas Kharge Committee set to submit its report on the ₹300 crore Mundhwa land scam in Pune, involving Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s son Parth, the state government has initiated the termination process of two government officials. The officials are Sub Registrar from the Stamp Duty and Registration Department, Ravindra Taru, and Tehsildar from the Pune Collectorate, Suryakant Yevale. The government is using its discretionary powers under Article 311 of the Constitution of India for this action.

This is the first such action against government officials other than police officers. Article 311 does not require a formal inquiry, unlike other departmental inquiries. Taru and Yevale were suspended from their services in November 2025 after the controversy over the illegal registration of the land deal came to light.

Officials privy to the development told the media that the probe committee, comprising officers from various departments and led by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge from the revenue department, has not held Parth Pawar responsible for the illegal deals. The committee has, however, placed the responsibility on the suspended officers for registering the government-owned land by flouting rules.

It is believed that the report has indicted Digvijay Patil, one of the directors in Amedia Enterprises LLP, headed by Parth, for not paying the stamp duty of ₹21 lakh. However, it has left it to the police to take action against Parth following further investigation.

The controversy over the Mundhwa land erupted in November 2025, involving Sheetal Tejwani, who was the power of attorney (PoA) holder for the approximately 40- to 43-acre government-owned land parcel known as Mahar Watan Land, currently leased to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). Sheetal Tejwani and Digvijay Patil were accused of manipulating records and illegally transferring ownership rights of the land to the company. Although Parth is a partner in Amedia, he has not been named in the FIR or the chargesheet.

Taru and Tejwani were subsequently arrested, while Yevale is on anticipatory bail.

The state government appointed the Kharge Committee in November 2025 to probe the alleged irregularities and recommend steps to avoid such occurrences in the future.

“The committee was tasked to probe if there were any irregularities, how a land owned by the government was registered, fix responsibilities for the irregularities, and suggest steps to restore the land. It was also tasked to recommend measures to avoid any such irregularities in the future,” said an official who has seen the fine print of the report. “The irregularities have been proven, and responsibility has been fixed on two officers and Tejwani. The land parcel has not been transferred and still remains government-owned and in the possession of BSI.”

It is also believed that the committee has stated that Taru committed 'grave mistakes' as the notification issued on April 28, 2025, just 22 days before the registration of the land on May 20, was grossly violated. The notification clearly stated that no government land or land without a 7/12 extract and property card should be registered.

An official from the revenue department said, “The special powers are invoked when a cop is found guilty in grave crimes such as rape, corruption, and drug peddling. In this case, we have sought guidance from the home and general administration departments.”