Vasai: An 8-member special investigating team (SIT) has been formed by the Inspector General of Registration and Stamps against Dipak Patil, joint district registrar, Palghar, after allegations surfaced that he gave a waiver in stamp duty by undervaluing a few proposals of huge land parcels causing a loss to the government. The SIT order, dated July 14, mentions that the inquiry has to be conducted by July 21. The order also says that all proposals approved by Patil while he was functioning as a JDR have to be scrutinised. These 8 members have been chosen from registrar offices spread across Maharashtra. The complainant in this case, Dhananjay Gawade, former Shiv Sena corporator, Nalasopara, and currently head of Vasai Virar for Swarajya Abhiyan, said Patil undervalued three transactions, causing losses of around Rs 34 crore to the state and loss of revenue of the respective income tax returns to the Centre. He alleged that a land parcel in Achole, Vasai east, was given a waiver in stamp duty in spite of the fact that the purchaser was a firm/company and not an individual/person. Gawade said he is happy that probe has commenced. Speaking to TOI, Patil said the 8-member SIT is part of departmental internal inspection done by higher authority/office and it is supposed to be done in each and every office of the department. He also said that as far as the complaint is concerned, it is made with malafide and malicious intention. “I have never met the complainant. Also, since the complainant has tried to malign me, I am in the process of seeking legal opinion to file a defamation case against him.“
