MUMBAI:The Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (ACB) action to begin an inquiry into his properties has put the spotlight on the empire of companies belonging to Jayant Patil—a short, bespectacled farmers’ leader from Raigad. The general secretary of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) claims to be the voice of society’s underprivileged class and owns several companies, with a turnover of Rs 10,000 crore.
The ACB has initiated inquiry against Jayant Patil acting on a complaint filed by a farmer, Jagannath Patil. In his complaint, Jagannath stated that Jayant, a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, grabbed his farm land. Jagannath’s lawyer Ashish Giri has submitted a list of Jayant’s properties to the ACB and has demanded a probe into how he amassed huge properties when his known source of income is meagre.
“As a legislator, Jayant Patil earns Rs 70,000 per month, whereas his affidavit with the Election Commission states that his personal wealth is around Rs 100 crore. We have demanded an inquiry into his sources of income,” said Giri.
A copy of his complaint acquired by The Sunday Standard states that Jayant owns shipyards in Dubai and Australia. He also owns a ferry company that has headquarters in coastal town Alibaug. Apart from these, he owns at least four five-star hotels in Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Dubai and London. The complaint says Jayant also owns several hundred hectares of land in Raigad, where 70 per cent of Maharashtra’s industries are located. He also runs a Marathi newspaper, Krishival, published from Raigad. Its two-storey office is part of his palatial residential complex. His garage houses eight luxury cars.
Jayant does not deny his richness. During his speech in the Legislative Council, he had admitted he has shipyards in Dubai and Australia. “My businesses are like an open book. Anyone can have a look into it. I am not involved in any illegal activity so I am ready for any inquiry,” he said.
Jayant comes from a humble family. His father and uncle were at the forefront of agitations over farmers’ issues. Those who know Jayant closely say he is passionate about buying land. “He believes nothing becomes more valuable than land. He advises young people to invest in land,” a PWP official said.
Jayant’s detractors say that he is more interested in amassing properties rather than working for farmers.
Cash Crop
While Jayant Patil earns Rs 70,000 per month as an MLC, his EC affidavit states his personal wealth to be Rs100 crore
■ Shipyards in Dubai and Australia
■ An Alibaug-headquartered ferry company
■ Four five-star hotels in Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Dubai and London
■ Several hundred hectares of land in Raigad
■ A Marathi newspaper
■ Eight luxury cars
According to a complaint filed with the ACB
