Suspended Sub-Registrar Arrested in High-Stakes Mundhwa “Mahar Watan” Land Scam Involving Amadea Enterprises LLP

Pune’s Bavdhan police arrest suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Taru for alleged fraudulent registration of 40-acre Mundhwa “Mahar Watan” land sale linked to Amadea Enterprises LLP.

Pune |08 December 2025: Pune’s Bavdhan police have arrested suspended sub-registrar Ravindra Balkrushna Taru for his alleged involvement in the controversial sale of a 40-acre “Mahar Watan” land parcel in Mundhwa. The case, which has already triggered major scrutiny within the registration and revenue departments, revolves around claims of fraudulent land classification, stamp duty evasion, and misuse of official authority during the registration of a high-value property transaction involving Amadea Enterprises LLP. Taru, aged 58, was taken into custody from his residence in Bhor and is expected to be produced before a local court for police remand.

The investigation began after the Inspector General of Registration flagged serious irregularities in the registration of a sale deed dated 20 May 2025. The land in question is categorized as “Mahar Watan” property, traditionally linked to hereditary rights held by members of the Mahar community and protected by specific legal provisions. Such land cannot be sold without explicit state approval, especially when it remains under government lease. In this case, the 40-acre plot was reportedly leased to a government institute, making its sale legally impermissible.

Despite this, a sale deed was registered between Sheetal Tejwani—who held power of attorney on behalf of 272 supposed watandars—and Amadea Enterprises LLP. The property was valued at ₹300 crore in the deed, but investigators estimate the market value may be up to six times higher. What has raised even more concern is the payment of merely ₹500 in stamp duty and a minimal registration fee, resulting in a revenue loss that could exceed ₹20 crore for the state. Officials believe the transaction was deliberately undervalued to evade obligations under the Registration Act and the Maharashtra Stamp Act.

Investigators have also uncovered technical manipulation during the registration process, where key verification checks were reportedly bypassed. The land was allegedly misclassified as “movable property,” allowing mandatory checks to be skipped within the digital registration system. Authorities claim that this was done intentionally to avoid triggering alerts that would have prevented the registration of government-owned land. The questionable use of a letter of intent to claim stamp duty exemption—without the mandatory exemption certificate—has further strengthened the case for criminal misconduct.

The arrest of Taru follows the earlier detention of Sheetal Tejwani, who is accused of misleading authorities by presenting false claims of land re-grant. Police suspect that the power of attorney used for the transaction was based on selective or incorrect information regarding the status of the land. While a partner in Amadea Enterprises has also been named in the case, investigators maintain that the sale involved coordinated actions between private individuals and public officials, raising concerns about deeper collusion.

The case has also gained political traction due to the prominence of individuals associated with the buyer company, although current investigation documents do not include political figures as accused. However, opposition leaders have demanded a transparent inquiry, arguing that the irregularities highlight systemic vulnerabilities in land administration.

For the state government, the scandal has exposed serious lapses in the property registration system. The failure to detect the misclassification of Watan land, the undervaluation of the transaction, and the ease with which official safeguards were bypassed indicate potential weaknesses in both technological and human oversight. For affected communities, especially those historically linked to Mahar Watan rights, the incident also raises concerns about the misuse of legacy lands and the erosion of traditional protections.

With Taru’s arrest, the investigation has entered a decisive phase. Authorities are expected to examine digital audit trails, financial records, and decision-making patterns within the registration office. As more information emerges, the case may prompt reforms in land governance and lead to stricter checks on transactions involving government-owned or community-regulated lands.

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