Raut alleges Rs 900 crore Sindhudurg land deal, Nitesh Rane says wait for report

Maharashtra politics has seen a fresh round of allegations. With the ruling side and the opposition already at odds over the Election Commission's SIR process, a new controversy has erupted over an alleged land deal worth Rs 900 crore in Sindhudurg district.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has levelled serious allegations against a minister from the Konkan region and demanded a probe into the matter. Raut is said to have made the remarks without directly naming minister Nitesh Rane. Following Raut's allegations, Nitesh Rane hit back sharply.

Rejecting Raut's charges, Nitesh Rane said the probe report should be allowed to come out first. He said nothing wrong has happened, and that instead of making political allegations, people need to understand the relevant government resolution and the government's decision.

Targeting Raut in strong words, Rane said, "Nobody has done anything wrong. Let the report come first... that day, Sanjay Raut will have to find somewhere to hide his face."

The land deal is reportedly being investigated under the chairmanship of the Konkan divisional commissioner. Nitesh Rane also said that if any irregularity is found in the probe, action will be taken. Political circles are now watching closely to see what the probe report reveals.

Commenting on the matter on his 'X' account, Nitesh Rane wrote, "Today Sanjay Raut ji has raised the right issue regarding the Sindhudurg land transaction... do not look back at all... keep speaking up... then let us see who ultimately gets exposed! Sanjay Rajaram Raut, go ahead.. we are with you!"

Nitesh Rane's post has further deepened the suspense around the alleged irregularity, and it will be important to see what emerges from it.

Sanjay Raut had raised the issue of an agricultural land deal worth about Rs 900 crore in the Vengurla, Sawantwadi and Dodamarg areas of Sindhudurg district. According to his allegation, the land was sold to wealthy people from Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad despite them not being farmers.

Raut questioned how such deals took place despite a legal restriction on the sale and purchase of agricultural land in Maharashtra. He claimed that a probe into the matter has already been started by the revenue department. Raut alleged that political figures from the Konkan region are behind the deal and posed direct questions to the government.

Raut has also raised the issue of deforestation in this matter and said he will visit the area concerned along with local Shiv Sainiks.