Maharashtra Minister Accused by Rohit Pawar of Partaking in a Land Scam Valued at 5,000 Crores
In a shocking revelation, Rohit Pawar, the NCP MLA from Mumbai, has accused Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsath of illegally transferring a 15-acre prime CIDCO land parcel in Navi Mumbai. This alleged land transfer, worth approximately Rs 5,000 crore, was originally reserved for affordable housing for the poor.
The controversy exposes a nexus of corruption involving CIDCO officials, political figures, and private beneficiaries like the Bivalkar family. According to allegations, the Bivalkar family, who were allegedly given over 4,000 acres of land in Navi Mumbai by the British for siding against the Maratha Empire, acquired land worth ₹50,000 crore through illegal means, bypassing eligibility criteria for project-affected persons (PAPs). The family reportedly paid about ₹20,000 crore in bribes to secure approvals, a stark contrast with thousands of genuine PAPs who remain landless.
The allegations suggest that the rightful share of the poor has been gifted to the heirs of those who once sided with colonial powers. Rohit Pawar made these allegations on a social media platform.
The land transfer is said to have bypassed established procedures. In 2024, Mr. Shirsath, as CIDCO chairman, allegedly bypassed regulations and allocated the land to the Bivalkar family in his first meeting. This action could have resulted in the construction of up to 10,000 affordable housing units, benefiting thousands of low-income families.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has announced a protest march at the CIDCO office in Navi Mumbai, demanding the revocation of the land allocation and Mr. Shirsath's resignation from the state cabinet. The NCP (SP) leader's claims implicate the misuse of power for land transfer in Navi Mumbai.
Meanwhile, heavy rains in Maharashtra have damaged over 5.4 Lakh Hectares of crops and resulted in 8 deaths. The agricultural sector is already grappling with the aftermath of the land scandal, as the state government grapples with the consequences of the natural disaster.
This scandal has triggered protests and political demands for accountability. Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Rohit Pawar, and other opposition leaders have condemned the scam, demanding court-monitored probes, resignations of involved leaders, and thorough investigation by central agencies. The scam has sparked a call for transparency and justice, as the people of Maharashtra demand answers.
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