Political row over claims of clean chit to Parth Pawar in mundhwa land case

Maharashtra’s political landscape is tense following conflicting reports regarding a "clean chit" for Parth Pawar, son of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar in the controversial Mundhwa land deal. While reports suggested a high-level committee led by revenue secretary Vikas Kharge found no evidence of Pawar’s signature on transaction documents, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has officially dismissed these claims as baseless.

The Minister clarified that no report has been submitted and has granted the committee an eight-day extension to finalise its findings, citing the need to manage manpower during local elections.

The situation has sparked a fierce backlash from the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the impartiality of the probe, alleging that the law is being applied selectively under CM Devendra Fadnavis. Raut labelled the transaction, where land worth Rs 1,800 crore was allegedly bought for just Rs 300 crore, a "Benami" deal. He argued that the current administration is shielding its allies, leaving the public "helpless."

Echoing this skepticism, activist Anjali Damania challenged the media narrative of an exoneration. She asserted that Pawar’s name and signature appear throughout the case files and maintained that the Kharge committee lacks the authority to grant a legal "clean chit."As it stands, the investigation into the 40-acre Mahar Vatan land scam remains open.

While sources hint the report may hold company directors and registration officials accountable rather than Pawar himself, the government maintains that the final verdict is still a week away. The outcome carries significant weight, as Pawar is rumoured to be a contender for a Rajya Sabha seat.