Nagpur: Maharashtra govt on Thursday ordered a statewide investigation into stamp duty adjudication cases handled over the last five years, after alleged irregularities in Navi Mumbai raised fears of a multi-crore revenue scam and exposed suspected misuse of quasi-judicial powers within the revenue department.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the legislative assembly that all adjudication cases processed between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2026, would be scrutinised through a special task force functioning under the supervision of the accountant general (AG).Replying to a question raised by MLA Jitendra Awhad, the minister said preliminary findings suggested that irregularities amounting to ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore may have occurred across Maharashtra.“This inquiry will separate facts from manipulation and establish accountability,” he said. “Officers involved in such serious misconduct have no place in public service,” he said.The announcement follows a major controversy in Navi Mumbai, where a senior clerk functioning as a stamp officer allegedly registered over 800 documents within just 10 days. According to the govt, provisions of Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, and Stamp Act were allegedly violated to facilitate registration of unauthorised constructions.The govt estimated that the alleged irregularities caused a direct revenue loss of ₹13.99 crore.An FIR has been registered at Turbhe MIDC police station, and the officer has been suspended. The state is also examining legal provisions to permanently dismiss the official from service.Bawankule told the House that the alleged scam appeared to have been carried out systematically and in collusion with vested interests linked to unauthorised construction activity.The revenue department has also identified suspected manipulation in adjudication proceedings, where stamp duty assessments were allegedly fixed at inflated levels before being reduced later through misuse of official authority.Given the scale of the inquiry, the govt will provide dedicated manpower, financial assistance and administrative support to the accountant general’s special task force.The minister further announced that the state would introduce a new standard operating procedure (SOP) governing adjudication proceedings. Officials found acting beyond the legal framework of the Stamp Act or causing losses to the exchequer would face criminal prosecution in addition to departmental action, he warned.The probe is expected to become one of Maharashtra’s most extensive examinations of property registration and stamp duty administration in recent years, with the govt signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, collusion and revenue leakages.UNDER SCANNER• Govt orders statewide audit of stamp duty adjudication cases from 2021 to 2026• Bawankule says irregularities worth ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore may surface• Special task force under accountant general to lead probe across Maharashtra• Navi Mumbai officer allegedly registered more than 800 documents within 10 days• Govt estimates direct revenue loss of ₹13.99 crore in the case• FIR registered at Turbhe MIDC police station; officer suspended• Govt examining permanent dismissal of accused official• Alleged misuse of quasi-judicial powers in reducing stamp duty assessments under scrutiny• New SOP and stricter adjudication guidelines to be introduced statewide• Officials violating legal norms may face criminal prosecution and departmental action
