Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Bombay high court’s order seeking registration of an FIR against the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Nationalist Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde in an alleged land grab case. In a statement Munde said, “I welcome this Supreme Court’s decision. The truth has prevailed.”

On June 11, the Bombay high court had ordered the police to register a case against Munde for allegedly purchasing government land. Following the court order, Beed police registered a case under Sections 420 (cheating) and 471 (forgery) of the Indian Penal Code against Munde and 13 others. Munde challenged this order before the apex court.

The case refers to an alleged illegal purchase of government land in Pus village of Ambajogai tehsil in Beed. In his petition, Rajabhau Phad had alleged that the land belonged to the government and was given to the Belkhandi Math as a gift when Ranit Wyanka Giri was its mahant (head). However, it was sold to the Munde in 2012 without government’s permission.

Munde contends the land was purchased “as per rules and without hoodwinking anyone”.