Alleged Shaan land deal under probe

Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane on Tuesday ordered a probe into a deal involving the alleged purchase of land by playback singer Shantanu Mukherjee, popularly known as Shaan, in Marathwada’s Beed district.

“The matter came to light after complaints by Ashti taluka residents. Shaan had apparently given the power of attorney to a couple of persons who struck a deal on his behalf for one hectare of land,” revenue department sources said. However, Shaan said he was in Bangladesh when the deal was struck.

“Neither my signature nor thumb impression is on the paper. I have never been to Beed or anywhere close by. I am being falsely accused. If this goes on, I will take legal action,” he told DNA.
“The land transfer deal does not reflect in the revenue records.

The land owner, an 80-year-old farmer, was in the dark about the deal,” a senior officer told DNA. The police have arrested the seller and three people, who were witness to the deal. They also registered a case against eight people for the alleged land fraud.
Beed collector Bharat Sasane said: “The matter is under investigation.”