Ajit Pawar's seized benami assets have been ordered to be released two days after he was sworn in as Maharashtra's deputy CM for the sixth time.
According to media reports, a Delhi Income Tax department tribunal has released Pawar's assets worth over Rs 1,000 crore.
The IT department seized these properties during a raid on 7 October 2021. It also has properties of Ajith's wife Sunetra Pawar and son Partha Pawar.
While ordering the release of the properties, the tribunal said – the IT department could not produce any evidence of any illegal manipulation of the properties. Could not clarify the issue of benami transaction. All transactions are done through banking system.
The properties are not directly registered in the name of Ajit Pawar
According to media reports, the tribunal had already made its stand clear, but on November 5, 2024, the IT department again filed a petition and appealed for reconsideration. The court also dismissed IT's review appeal.
The IT department searched the house and office of Ajit Pawar and his close relatives in Mumbai under the Benami Assets Prevention Act. According to media reports, not all properties are directly registered in Ajit Pawar's name.
More than 30 properties were seized
- Jarandeshwar Sugar Factory whose market value is Rs. is more than 400 crores.
- A flat worth 20 crores is located in South Delhi.
- Partha Pawar's Nirmal Office. Its price was 25 crore rupees.
- 250 crore rupees 'Nilay' resort in Goa.
- Land at various 27 locations in Maharashtra including Pune, Mumbai.
Ajit Pawar's net worth is 124 crore rupees
- In the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar declared his total wealth of Rs 124 crore.
- Ajith said that his family has a total cash of Rs 14.12 lakh. Also, more than 6.81 crore rupees are deposited in various bank accounts.
- Ajit Pawar owns 3 trailers, Toyota Camry, Honda CRV and a tractor. All these cost around 75 lakh rupees. While wife Sunetra Pawar has a car worth Rs 10 lakh.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).