EOW serves notices on two aides of Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar in Mundhwa land case

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has suffered a major setback in the much-discussed Mundhwa land scam in Pune. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has sent notices to two of her close aides, causing a stir in the state's politics, sources said.

All eyes are now on how the two respond to the notices.

The two who have received the notices are Vikas Patil and Ram Chaubey. Both are currently working as officers on special duty to Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. Both are government officials. It is said that the two are also active in the personal and political work of the Pawar family. According to sources, their role in the Mundhwa land case is suspect.

The EOW suspects that the two tampered with evidence in the deal for 40 acres of government land in Mundhwa. The case is linked to Amedia Enterprises LLP, a company of Parth Pawar. When the matter came to light, Ram Chaubey and Vikas Patil were working as personal assistants to Ajit Pawar. Sources said the EOW will now question both in the case.

Social activists Anjali Damania and Vijay Kumbhar have already alleged that the two helped Parth Pawar. The allegation is that the two officers intervened to protect Parth Pawar in the scam and to help him at the administrative level.

According to sources, WhatsApp chats of the two and some other evidence have reached the investigating agencies. WhatsApp chats between Ram Chaubey and Vikas Patil and people and officials connected with the case have surfaced. Sources said the two will be questioned on the basis of these chats.