Khadse to Face Trial: Pune Special Court Finds Prima Facie Misuse of Power in Bhosari Land Deal

Pune, 11th December 2025: A special court in Mumbai has rejected the discharge applications filed by former Revenue Minister and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MLA Eknath Khadse, his wife Mandakini Khadse, and his son-in-law Girish Chaudhary in the Bhosari MIDC land scam case. The order clears the way for the trial to proceed in a case that has remained politically sensitive for nearly a decade.

The dispute stems from a 2016 land transaction in which Khadse’s wife and son-in-law purchased a plot in the Bhosari MIDC area at a price alleged to be far below the prevailing market rate. At the time, Khadse was serving as Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister. Social activist Hemant Gawande later filed a complaint, prompting the Bund Garden police station to register an FIR against Khadse and his family members.

Although the Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had granted Khadse a “clean chit” in 2018, the case gained momentum after the change of government in Maharashtra. The ACB then sought permission from the special Anti-Corruption Act court to reopen the probe. A chargesheet was subsequently filed on October 11, 2023, naming Khadse, his wife, and son-in-law as accused. All three were granted anticipatory bail by a Pune court last year.

In its recent order, the court observed that there is prima facie evidence of misuse of power by the former minister. The court noted that while the Revenue Minister is authorised to safeguard public interest, such power cannot be exercised to secure financial gains for oneself or one’s family.

According to the court, the land was acquired at a rate significantly lower than market value, and there is material on record suggesting that Khadse convened a meeting—without the authority to do so—after the transaction took place. During this meeting, he allegedly directed officials to either return the land to its original owner or provide compensation. The court found that these actions, coupled with clauses in the sale agreement, did not indicate “bonafide intentions.”

Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar argued that Khadse had misused his ministerial position to influence the outcome of the land matter, asserting that his directions served to benefit close relatives rather than further the public interest. The special judge accepted these arguments and held that the allegations, on their face, pointed to criminal misconduct, conspiracy, and abuse of official power.

With the discharge pleas rejected, the case will now proceed to trial.