Pune EOW questions suspended tahsildar and attorney holder in Mundhwa land scam probe

The Pune Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has jointly questioned suspended Tahsildar Suryakant Yeole and power of attorney holder Sheetal Tejwani in connection with the controversial Mundhwa land deal involving a firm linked to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar , an official said on Wednesday.

Yeole is the third accused named in the case registered at the Khadak police station, alongside Tejwani and Digvijay Patil , a partner at Amadea Enterprises LLP. Although Parth Pawar is a majority partner in the firm, he has not been named in the FIR. Patil is also his business partner and cousin.

Tejwani, who held the power of attorney on behalf of the land sellers, was arrested on December 3 and remained in police custody until December 11.

According to officials, Yeole was summoned to the EOW office, where he and Tejwani were questioned together. The suspended tahsildar was specifically asked about the eviction notice issued to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) the government lessee of the 40-acre plot which he sent after receiving a letter from Amadea Enterprises claiming ownership of the land.

The letter from the firm had stated that it was the “new owner” of the property following the sale. It was noted by investigators that the notice was sent directly to BSI instead of being reported to the district collector’s office, as required.

Police said Tejwani had sold the land despite knowing it belonged to the state government. Following her arrest, the EOW seized the original sale deed and the power of attorney issued to her by 272 original watandars (hereditary holders).

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday raised sharp questions about the police probe, suggesting that authorities might be shielding Parth Pawar. The court observed that although he is the majority partner in the firm involved, his name does not appear in the FIR. A single-judge bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar asked whether the police were protecting the son of the deputy chief minister and only investigating others, a statement that was expressed in passive voice during the proceedings.

Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh responded that it was stated that necessary action would be taken as per law.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the state government's position "was not to protect anyone," which was conveyed as an assurance that action would be taken against whoever is found guilty .

The case stems from the sale of 40 acres of prime land in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area for ₹300 crore to Amadea Enterprises LLP. The deal came under scrutiny last month when it emerged that the land is government property and cannot be sold. Authorities are also probing how the firm was allegedly exempted from paying ₹21 crore in stamp duty .

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar previously claimed that Parth Pawar and his business partner were unaware of the land’s government ownership and said the transaction had been cancelled.

The investigation continues, with the High Court's observations adding further pressure on the probe agency to justify the omissions in the FIR.