Web Desk
In a significant development, the Income Tax (IT) Department has released several properties associated with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his family, providing relief in a long-standing investigation under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act.
These properties, including Jarandeshwar Sugar Mill, were seized earlier due to allegations of being unaccounted or benami assets. The release follows a Supreme Court ruling that properties acquired before 2016 could not be prosecuted under the Benami Transactions Act .
The case gained attention when assets worth over ₹1,000 crore, linked to entities allegedly associated with Pawar’s family, were provisionally attached in 2021. These included real estate and operational businesses spread across Maharashtra, Delhi, and Goa. However, investigations revealed that the properties were not directly owned by Ajit Pawar. Legal actions and subsequent SC interpretations have now resulted in the release of at least three properties .
This decision has implications for political and financial scrutiny in Maharashtra. The case had fueled controversy, with opposition parties highlighting it during political campaigns. The IT Department has stated that its action followed a procedural review after the Supreme Court’s clarification on the limits of the Benami Act .
