However, politics apart, the Maharashtra government has to follow procedure to determine if Bachchan can be divested of the ownership of the strategically located farmland. The law, the same Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948 that required him to be prove himself a farmer to purchase the land, requires that an inquiry commission be set up to examine if there has been a fraudulent purchase. When the commission submits it findings, the revenue department is free to take its decision.
The inquiry process into Bachchan's holding had not got off the ground six days after the Faizabad court order that took away his 'farmer' status. Top officials said they were awaiting a copy of the order to start proceedings in the Pune district collectorate. With Bachchan challenging the order in Allahabad High Court, the Maharashtra government has to wait. The government can do little until the Barabanki issue is sorted out in the courts.
This hasn't stopped the competitive one-upmanship. Rane says, "We may prosecute him if proved that he acquired the Maval land by fraudulent means." Deshmukh is less brash—he knows the Bachchan case can rip the lid off a veritable Pandora's box.
