Land Scam: Pune Police Clear Sheetal Tejwani and Digvijay Patil in Bopodi Case, Focus Shifts to Mundhwa Land Deal

Pune, 10th November 2025: Days after shocking revelations that a 40-acre land parcel in Pune’s Mundhwa area was allegedly purchased irregularly by Parth Pawar’s company, Pune Police have given a clean chit to the same individuals earlier named in a separate Bopodi land case. The move has sparked questions over the credibility of the ongoing investigations into both controversial land deals.

An FIR was earlier filed in the Mundhwa land case, and a high-level committee has been formed to probe the allegations. However, before the investigation could reach a conclusion, Pune Police clarified that Sheetal Tejwani (power of attorney holder of Mundhwa land) and Digvijay Patil (Parth Pawar’s business partner in Amadea Enterprises LLP) were “wrongly named” in the Bopodi land scam. According to officials, their names were included in the FIR “by mistake,” and both have now been cleared of involvement in that case, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Vivek Masal of Pune City Police.

The police stated that while Tejwani and Patil will still be questioned in connection with the Mundhwa land deal, they are no longer accused in the Bopodi case. When asked why no arrests had been made yet, senior officers said they were awaiting additional documents for verification.

Earlier, two separate FIRs had been registered — one at Bavdhan Police Station under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate against Digvijay Patil, Sheetal Tejwani, and Ravindra Taru for the illegal Mundhwa land transaction done at the office of the Joint Sub Registrar Office in Bavdhan, and another by Pune Police the following day involving nine accused, including Pune city Tehsildar Yewle, linked to the Bopodi land cases.

DCP Masal confirmed that Tejwani and Patil are now connected only to the Mundhwa investigation.

This reversal has drawn criticism, as the police’s “misunderstanding” has raised concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the probe.
The ₹1,800-Crore Land Deal Controversy
According to reports, Parth Pawar’s company allegedly purchased land worth ₹1,800 crore for just ₹300 crore, paying only ₹500 in stamp duty. The company, with a capital of merely ₹1 lakh, had proposed setting up an IT park and data centre on the land and hence got the exemption in stamp duty. Opposition leaders have questioned how such a massive transaction was approved so quickly.

The industries department reportedly cleared the deal within 48 hours, and the entire transaction was completed in just 27 days. Following media exposure, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Parth Pawar’s father, announced that the deal will be cancelled. However, the issue had already escalated into a major political storm in Maharashtra.

What Is the Bopodi Land Case?
The Bopodi land case involves 5.5 hectares of land owned by the State Agriculture Department. The FIR names nine accused, including Tehsildar Suryakant Yewale, builder Hemant Gawande, Tejwani and Digvijay Patil. They are accused of attempting to illegally acquire government land through companies such as Vision Properties and Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Parth Ajit Pawar reportedly holds 99% shares and Patil holds 1%.

Interestingly, Hemant Gawande is the same builder who had earlier acted as a whistleblower in the Bhosari land scam involving former minister Eknath Khadse, which led to Khadse’s resignation.

Speaking at a press conference, Gawande denied any wrongdoing and distanced himself from Amadea Enterprises. “I have not had any dealings with Digvijay Patil, Sheetal Tejwani, or any other partner of Amadea Company. I do not know them personally and have never met them. The case registered against me is false and based on misunderstanding,” Gawande said, while the Inami (original owner) of the Bopodi land, the Vidhwans family, was also present.

Gawande explained that the disputed land — CTS No. 3 and 4, Plot No. 14 (Survey No. 62) in Mauje Bopodi — has been under the Vidhwans family’s possession since the Peshwa era, with documentary evidence in Modi script dating back to 1930. He claimed that the Agricultural Department is merely a ‘tenant’ and not the owner, and that the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University’s ownership claim had already been dismissed by the court.

He added that the Pune District Collector had recognized the Vidhwans family’s ownership in correspondence about a bus terminal reservation on the land and mentioned that the Pune Municipal Corporation had even offered ₹20 crore as compensation, which remains unpaid.

Gawande further stated, “We have not done any false measurements; the land acquisition was carried out under the Collector’s supervision. My name is on the property card, and I pay taxes regularly. The Agricultural College has never challenged this. The earlier case filed by then Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse was also found to be false by the High Court.”
To Appeal in High Court
Gawande announced his intention to approach the Bombay High Court to challenge the case filed against him.

“There has been no transaction between me and Amadea Company or Sheetal Tejwani. The FIR was registered at 1:30 am without proper verification of documents. I will appeal in the High Court against those who made false allegations and seek justice,” he said.