Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a high-level investigation on Monday to uncover any irregularities in the auction tender process of a hotel in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This issue involves Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shinde, whose son Siddhant Shirsat faces serious allegations of rigging the auction. The opposition claims that among the three companies bidding, one belonged to the Minister's son.
Opposition leaders, including Ambadas Danve and Anil Parab of Shiv Sena (UBT), aggressively raised the issue, leading to an uproar in the legislative council. Amidst intensified opposition attacks and increasing pressure, CM Fadnavis announced the investigation, seen as a significant setback for the Shinde faction.
The VITS hotel in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was owned by Dhanda Corporation, listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The assets, including VITS Hotel, were seized under the Maharashtra Protection of Depositors in Financial Establishments Act, 1999. Subsequently, a court-ordered auction process began, conducted by the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Collectorate.
According to a government evaluator's report from December 2018, the hotel was valued at 75.92 crore rupees. However, during the 2025 auction, this valuation was still based on 2018 figures.
Danve claimed that private evaluators value the hotel at 150 crore rupees. He accused the auction process of lacking transparency.
He said that three companies participated in the process, including Messrs. Siddhant Material Procurement and Suppliers Company, which reportedly belongs to Sanjay Shinde's son, Siddhant.
Ambadas Danve alleged that three companies participated in the auction, including M/S Siddhant Material Procurement, reportedly belonging to Sanjay Shinde's son, Siddhant Shirsat. Danve claimed the company's registration form stated it applied for registration in 2024, but it remains unregistered. Nonetheless, the company bid 47 crore rupees, while the other two companies bid 46.95 crore and 46.90 crore rupees, differing by only five lakh rupees.
Danve remarked, 'This is fraud and the government is being massively duped. What action will be taken against the government officer allowing this irregularity when Siddhant Shirsat does not have an Income Tax Return?'
In the council, CM Fadnavis stated that Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the entire process's cancellation and new tenders for fresh procedures.
He said, 'To ensure transparency, a high-level committee will be formed to probe any irregularities in this matter.'
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the tender and process have been canceled. He informed that six tenders had been issued previously but received no bids. The base price and terms were repeatedly reduced during this process. Bawankule assured that the new tender process would be entirely merit-based.
Meanwhile, in the council, Shirsat stated that tenders were issued six times previously, but no bids were received. He asserted that the tender process aligns with a court order.
