Pune land deal case: Not shielding anyone, action will be taken against all those involved, says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday dismissed allegations that his government is trying to protect his deputy Ajit Pawar’s son in the Pune land deal case and assured that action will taken against anyone involved in the alleged irregularities.

Terming the allegations as baseless, Fadnavis said that an FIR has been filed in the case and it covers everyone involved.

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“Those who don’t even understand what an FIR (First Information Report) is are the ones making such baseless allegations. When an FIR is registered, it is filed against the express parties involved. In this case, the FIR has been filed against the company and its authorised signatories. It’s important to understand that when an FIR is registered, it covers everyone involved: those who signed the documents, those who sold, those who carried out wrongful registration, and those who made alterations,” he told reporters in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister said that his deputy Ajit Pawar also shared similar views and the government officials involved in the deal were suspended immediately.

“Even yesterday, we did not wait a single minute; the officers found prima facie guilty were suspended immediately, and FIRs were registered against those primarily responsible. This government does not protect anyone, nor does it hide anything. If anyone commits wrongdoing, this government will never shield them,” he said.

He further informed that while there was an agreement between the parties, the exchange of money was still pending although the registry of the land had already been completed.

“Both parties have now filed an application to cancel the registry. As per procedure, they are required to pay certain fees to cancel it, and accordingly, a notice has been issued to them. Further action will be taken after that,” he stated.

The Chief Minister reassured that even after the registry is cancelled, the criminal case that has already been filed will continue.

“The irregularities that have occurred will still be investigated, and whoever is responsible will face action. Along with this, a parallel inquiry is also being conducted under the ACS. The entire inquiry will be completed within a month, identifying all the people involved and based on that, further action will be taken,” he added.

His remarks came hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while sharinf a news report, alleged that a land reserved for Dalits worth Rs 1,800 crore was sold to Ajit Pawar’s son’s company for just 300 crore.

On top of that, Rahul claimed, “the stamp duty was also waived – meaning not only is it a robbery, but even a legal stamp of approval on the theft!”

The Congress leader termed the deal “land theft by that government, which itself was formed through ‘vote theft'” and questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Are you (PM Modi) staying silent for this reason, because your government is propped up by those very looters who usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived?,” he asked.