Clean Sweep: MLC Anil Parab and Officials Walk Free in Dapoli Resort Corruption Saga

In a resounding verdict delivered on May 5, 2026, the Special Court of Khed, Ratnagiri, acquitted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLC Anil Dattatraya Parab, along with four public officials, in a politically charged Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) case. Presided over by Judge Prasanna S. Chandgude, the court dismantled allegations of cheating, forgery, and corruption linked to an upscale resort property in Murud, Dapoli. All accused—Parab, Sarpanch Suresh Shankar Tupe, Gramsevak Anant Dnyandev Koli, Circle Officer Sudhir Shantaram Pardule, and former Sub-Divisional Officer Jayram Vinayak Deshpande—were cleared under multiple IPC sections (420, 290, 166, etc.) and Sections 12-14 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

From Political Complaint to Courtroom Battle

The case originated from a 2021 complaint by former MP Kirit Somaiya to Maharashtra's Principal Chief Secretary, flagging irregularities in property tax assessment for Gat No. 446 (House No. 1074) in Murud. Somaiya alleged the Gram Panchayat entered the incomplete resort building in its records via a July 29, 2019 resolution, assessing taxes without spot inspection—evading state revenue. FIR No. 177/2022 was registered at Dapoli Police Station in November 2022, later transferred to ACB, with charges expanded to include criminal conspiracy, forgery, and corruption.

Timeline highlights: Parab allegedly bought the land in June 2019, sold it to Sadanand Kadam in December 2020. NA permission was granted in 2017 under CRZ-III norms. Taxes assessed in 2019; electricity connection sought in 2020. Prosecution claimed Rs. 16.9 lakh and Rs. 8.74 lakh stamp duty losses from omitting construction in sale deeds, plus premature taxation to dodge income tax.

Prosecution's Web of Allegations vs. Defense's Solid Ground

Prosecutors, led by Special PP M.M. Jadkar, painted a conspiracy: Accused No. 1 (Parab) applied for tax assessment and electricity despite incomplete construction (per Google Earth images). Sarpanch Tupe and Gramsevak Koli skipped inspections; officials Pardule and Deshpande fast-tracked NA despite CRZ restrictions. Key evidence: Panch witnesses, sale deeds, ledgers, and IO reports claiming government losses.

Defense advocates S.S. Butala, P.A. Damale, and P.P. Nene countered fiercely. No fraudulent intent from inception (essential for IPC 420); a July 2016 GR mandates taxing even incomplete/illegal structures to boost revenue. Witnesses (Gram Panchayat members) confirmed spot visits and measurements. Chartered accountant and contractor testified construction (owned by Kadam) started 2017, completed 2019—post-dating sales. No gratification proven; PW11 denied bribes. Dual ownership (land: Parab; building: Kadam) justified no construction mention in deeds, per Bombay HC's Shriram Narayan Shinde ruling and Easements Act.

Dissecting the Verdict: No Loss, No Crime

Judge Chandgude methodically rejected claims across 17 points. Prosecution failed to prove cheating (no inducement/deliverance of property), wrongful gain/loss, or corruption (no bribes, disproportionate assets). Google images inconclusive; panchas lacked expertise. Gram Panchayat acted per law—taxing plinths/verandahs under Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act S.124.

CRZ-NA permission followed procedure with departmental inputs. Supreme Court precedents like Vijay Kumar Ghai (wrongful loss essential for cheating) and Rekha Jain ( dishonest inducement needed) sealed the deal. "The prosecution has miserably failed to prove offence under section 13 to 15 of The Prevention of Corruption Act ," the court noted, answering all points negatively.

Key Observations from the Bench

"From the testimony of this witness it has came on record that the construction on the site is of Shri.Sadanand Kadam which commence in the year 2017 and completed in the year 2019."

"As per Government resolution dated 18-07-2016 whenever there is construction... the entry shall be taken in form No.8 for the purpose of assessment of taxes."

"Concept of dual ownership is well recognized. The land may belong to one person and superstructure standing thereon may belong to another."

"The prosecution has not proved that the accused No.4 and 5 who are public servants committed criminal misconduct that accepting gratification other than legal remuneration."

Full Acquittal: Implications for Political Probes

All five accused acquitted u/s 235(1) CrPC. Bail bonds cancelled; muddemal returned post-appeal. They must furnish fresh bonds u/s 437A. This ruling underscores: procedural compliance trumps suspicion; GRs bind assessments; unproven loss bars corruption charges.

For future ACB cases, it signals scrutiny of "political" FIRs—especially where evidence hinges on imagery sans ground truth. Parab's camp hailed it as vindication amid Maharashtra's cutthroat politics, while it spotlights dual ownership in stamp disputes.

(Integrating reports: Media noted Parab's Sena (UBT) ties and "resort corruption" tag, echoing ACB's chargesheet expansions.)