Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has written a detailed and scathing letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, leveling serious allegations of corruption, illegal land acquisition, and unauthorized mining against Maval MLA Sunil Shankarrao Shelke, a member of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP.
In his letter, Raut accused Shelke and his family of misusing political influence to acquire government land under the Maharashtra State Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and conducting large-scale illegal mining without requisite permissions or royalty payments.
Highlighting systemic corruption, Raut wrote, “We always talk about corruption and cheating the public. Our policy is to send the corrupt to jail. But in reality, it appears that the government is protecting those who are plundering public resources. The people around us are looting the government treasury to recover the price of supporting the ruling regime.”
He further alleged that the case of Sunil Shelke represents a glaring example of such exploitation.
Raut outlined that the Maharashtra government had approved the acquisition of farmers' land in Amble village, Phase 4 of the Industrial Area, under MIDC notification (Gazette No. IDC-2020/588/U.14 dated April 22, 2021). Although these lands were intended for industrial development, Raut claimed that much of the land was unsuitable due to extensive mining activity, with pits over 100 feet deep.
According to the letter:
MLA Shelke and his family allegedly acquired over 21 hectares of land, specifically from Group Nos. 123, 125, 141, 152, 153/1, 154, 158, 171/2, and 195.
These lands were later acquired by MIDC as part of a government decision under Chapter 6 of the 1961 Act.
Raut alleged that Shelke conducted illegal stone mining without obtaining government permissions, failed to pay royalties, and used political influence to receive 29 hectares of alternate land (Group Nos. 138, 140/1, 140/2, 142/2) as compensation.
Meanwhile, similar applications from other affected farmers have been pending for over six years.
Raut raised the following key issues and sought immediate action:
Recovery of Royalty: Losses amounting to thousands of crores in unpaid royalty due to illegal mining must be assessed and recovered.
Bias in Land Compensation: Why were other farmers not given replacement land, while Shelke and his family were granted it within a year?
Damage to Village Infrastructure: Illegal excavation has destroyed village roads, yet no accountability has been enforced.
Involvement of MIDC Officials: An independent investigation is required into the role of MIDC officers.
Corruption in the Mineral Department: Allegations of collaboration by district collectors and subordinate officers in the illegal mining racket need to be probed.
Disparity in Land Valuation: Land acquired at ₹73 lakh per acre was compensated at ₹2.5 crore per acre to Shelke—Raut questioned the legitimacy of such pricing.
Calling this “a textbook example of how Maharashtra is being looted,” Raut demanded:
“An SIT should be formed to probe this entire scam, and criminal action should be taken immediately against those involved. The MIDC acquisition notification should be canceled, and full royalty with fines must be recovered,” Raut wrote, attaching what he claimed is documentary proof of the alleged wrongdoing.