Bombay HC directs demolition of scam-hit Adarsh society in Mumbai

Gives 12 weeks time to Maha Govt to appeal in the Supreme Court

The Bombay High Court on Friday ordered demolition of a 31-storey Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society that became a symbol of political corruption. The court stated that there was no Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the building and added that politicians and bureaucrats illegally procured flats meant for Kargil war widows and defence personnel.

The order was given today after a petition filed by Adarsh Housing Society had challenged the Environment Ministry's order to demolish the building. The court has given 12 weeks time to Maharashtra government to appeal against the order in Supreme Court. The court has also ordered Maharashtra government to initiate criminal proceedings against bureaucrats and politicians for illegal construction of Adarsh Society.

The BJP has welcomed the decision calling the building a symbol of corruption. The BJP and Shiv Sena, before coming to power in 2014, had alleged that Adarsh society had become a symbol of corruption

The Adarsh scam expose in 2010 led to the resignation of Congress leader Ashok Chavan as the Maharashtra chief minister especially after it was revealed that three of his relatives had also been given apartments in the building.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed charge sheet against 13 persons including Chavan.

State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao recently sanctioned prosecution of Chavan for offences under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. In 2013, the agency had moved a similar request under the same provisions and then Governor K Sankaranarayanan had refused sanction.

In 2013, a judicial commission found that 25 of the 102 members in the Adarsh society were ineligible and there were 22 cases of flats being bought on proxies.