Shiv Sena MP's Driver Gifted Land Worth Rs 150,00,00,000 By Salar Jung's Descendent

Last Updated:June 27, 2025, 11:33 IST

EOW stated that the land was gifted via a hibanama signed by Mir Mazhar Ali Khan and six Salar Jung kin, none of whom have responded to summons seeking their statements

The complainant Mujahid Khan said that such a deed is legally acceptable only among blood relatives. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

In a surprising turn of events, a descendant of the esteemed Salar Jung family, once closely associated with the former Nizam of Hyderabad, has gifted three acres of prime land worth approximately Rs 150 crore to Javed Rasool Sheikh, the driver of Shiv Sena MP Sandipanrao Bhumre. This unexpected act has raised eyebrows, given the absence of any familial or equitable relationship between the giver and the recipient.

What Led To The Doubt?

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has launched an investigation following a complaint, questioning both Javed Rasool Sheikh and the MP’s son, MLA Vilas Bhumre.

Speaking to the Times of India, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar commissioner of police Pravin Pawar said, “The inquiry is based on a complaint lodged by a lawyer from Parbhani."

Officials were perplexed as to why such a valuable piece of land, located in the prime Jalna Road area of Dawoodpura, Sambhajinagar, was gifted to Sheikh, who has been employed by the Bhumre family for 13 years.

“We have summoned the driver, Jawed Rasul Shaikh (38), for questioning and asked him to submit copies of his I-T returns, established sources of income, and to explain on what basis the gift deed has been signed in his name. The family members, who executed the gift deed, have so far failed to turn up," Sambhaji Pawar, the EOW inspector, was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Notices Sent To Salar Jung Family

According to the EOW, the land transfer via a gift deed (hibanama) was signed by Mir Mazhar Ali Khan of the Salar Jung family and six of his relatives, none of whom have responded to the notice issued by the authorities to record their statements.

According to the Times of India report, the police said the gift deed identifies the disputed land as a 12-acre private property once belonging to Salar Jung, located in the Bagsherganj area of Dawoodpura. The document mentions that, following prolonged legal proceedings at the land records office and the secretariat, the family was allotted 12,438.2 square metres as their rightful share. This decision, initially made by the superintendent of land records in 2016, was upheld by the minister of state for revenue on January 30, 2023. Around that period, police added, the descendants of Salar Jung executed a hibanama transferring the land to Jawed.

What Did EOW Say?

EOW Inspector Sambhaji Pawar stated that they would scrutinise Sheikh’s income tax returns and other financial records to ascertain the reason behind this substantial gift.

Sheikh, on his part, claimed to have good relations with the Salar Jung descendants, which he cites as the reason for their generosity. However, the complainant, lawyer Mujahid Khan, questioned the legitimacy of such a transfer.

As reported by Times of India, Khan asked, “Why would the descendants of Salar Jung gift their land to a driver based in Sambhajinagar, especially after the legal verdict went in their favour?" Khan also raised doubts about the validity of the hibanama, stating, “Such a deed is legally acceptable only among blood relatives. In this case, not only are the Salar Jung heirs and the driver unrelated, but they also belong to different sects within Islam."

MLA Vilas Sandipan Bhumre clarified that while Sheikh is employed by their family, they are not responsible for his personal decisions. Both he and his father have been questioned by the police as part of the ongoing investigation.

Vilas Bhumre, the MLA from Paithan, confirmed to Times of India that he had been questioned by the EOW regarding the case. “They asked me about the issue, and I clarified that we have no involvement in the land deal," he said. “A ‘hibanama’ is a legally recognised method of property transfer. Although Jawed works as our driver, we cannot be held accountable for all his personal actions," he added.

Speaking to Times of India, Jawed, the driver, said he has been fully cooperating with the investigation and has already provided all necessary documents. “I’ve been working as a driver for the Bhumre family for the past 12 to 13 years," he said. “The police questioned me about the land, and I explained that I received it through a hibanama. I have maintained a cordial relationship with the family’s descendants, and they gifted the land to me out of goodwill," he added.

The Salar Jung family, renowned for their historical significance as Diwans (Prime Ministers) to the Nizams, remains silent on the matter.

Location :

Aurangabad, India, India

First Published:

News india Shiv Sena MP's Driver Gifted Land Worth Rs 150,00,00,000 By Salar Jung's Descendent