Bombay High Court Questions DGP on Land Deal Case Involvement

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to explain why Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, has not been named as an accused in the Mundhwa land deal case. This inquiry comes amid allegations of irregularities in a transaction involving a 40-acre government-owned property in Pune, which was sold for a price considerably lower than its market value.

Justice Madhav Jamdar, presiding over the case, highlighted that Ameida Enterprises LLP, which acquired the land, has two directors: Parth Pawar and Digvijay Patil. While Patil has been named as an accused, the absence of charges against Pawar has raised eyebrows. The judge noted that the police investigation revealed that Pawar's influential status as the Deputy CM's son might have played a role in his exclusion from the list of accused.

During the proceedings, the judge recorded a statement indicating that the police's decision to name only Patil as an accused could be influenced by Pawar's political connections. The court has mandated that the DGP submit a personal affidavit detailing the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing the need for transparency in the investigation.

This case has broader implications for governance and accountability in Maharashtra, particularly concerning the conduct of public officials and their families. As the investigation unfolds, it raises questions about the integrity of land transactions involving government properties and the potential for misuse of power.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 28, where it will further examine the DGP's response and the anticipatory bail application filed by Pune Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale, who is also implicated in the case. Yewale claims he was wrongfully accused and had no involvement in the alleged misconduct surrounding the land deal.