Khadse land deal: MIDC had objected to sale

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had objected to the sale of a Bhosari plot in 2010 — bought by revenue minister Eknath Khadse’s family members — claiming the land was in its possession.

In a letter sent to regional revenue officer dated January 12, 2010, MIDC had clearly mentioned that the land could not be sold to any party.

However, the same land was purchased by Mr Khadse’s wife and son-in-law in 2016.

The letter was written by divisional officer MIDC, Pune, to the land acquisition officer on Survey no 52/2a/2 area one hectare 21 R. The same land in Bhosari near Pune was purchased by Mr Khadse’s wife Mandakini and son-in-law Girish Choudhary for Rs 3.75 crore. However, Hemant Gawande, a local construction professional, alleged that the market value of the three-acre land was approximately Rs 40 crore, but Mr Khadse purchased it at a throwaway price by using his influence. The land was purchased on April 28, 2016, from original owner Abbas Ukani, a resident of West Bengal, allegedly keeping the MIDC in the dark.

The MIDC issued the letter after it found an advertisement in a local newspaper on January 12, 2010, claiming land survey number 52/2a/2 area one hectare 21 R was available for sale. The MIDC had objected to the advertisement in its letter and stated, “We issued the notice regarding Survey no 52 /2a/2 area 1 hectre 21 R, wherein we raise objection for intention of sale deed.

As per our record, this land is in MIDC possession and the acquisition of the above land is completed by land acquisition officer no 9 of Pune. The order number LAQ/9/MIDC/BHOSARI/S/R/28 dated 26/10/1971, and this order was published in state government Gazette on 11 Nov 1971, but till today MIDC’s name does not reflect on 7/12 land record extract. And it has come to our notice that this is being misused by some land buyers who are trying to buy this land.”

Industries minister Subhash Desai on Monday also admitted on record that the land belonged to the MIDC and questioned the land deal by Mr Khadse’s family members. “There are around eight to 10 industries working on the said plot (Survey No. 52/2a/2). Mr Khadse has no right to purchase a land owned by the MIDC. Mr Khadse is a senior minister and he should be aware of the laws that state nobody can purchase land acquired by the MIDC,” Mr Desai had said.

However, a clarification from Mr Khadse’s office has blamed the MIDC for not following due process during land acquisition. “A notification about the land acquisition for MIDC at Bhosari was issued in 1968. The land acquisition notice was again issued in 1971. Abbas Rasulbhai Ukani is the owner of the land 52 /2a/2 with an area of three-acres. In 44 years, the MIDC did not negotiate with the owner or give compensation. The MIDC has distributed the land without properly acquiring it,” the clarification stated. Sources in the MIDC said that officials have been told to look into how the land deal was conducted without involving the authority concerned.