CBI all set to file case in Adarsh scam

The CBI is all set to file a case in the Adarsh cooperative housing society scam, which has seen the removal of Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra chief minister, and it has started scrutinising documents collected from several departments.

Defence Minister A K Antony had yesterday announced a CBI probe into the alleged bungling in the housing society, in which some senior army officials including former army chiefs Deepak Kapoor and N C Vij too had flats allotted in their name.

A CBI spokesman in Delhi said the agency was yet to receive a formal request from the Defence Ministry seeking a probe into the scam.

CBI, which was making in-house investigations into the case following complaints since October, was examining documents received by it from several departments, official sources said.

CBI had sought documents relating to the society from various departments of the government, Indian Navy and Army and the society, the sources added.

"While we had received over 4,000 page documents from the city collector's office, the society members have sent us a letter requesting more time to submit the documents. We have also received documents from other departments," a senior CBI official said.

Even today, the CBI continued to be flooded with emails regarding information about this scam, the official said and added "we are verifying all the information and documents after which a decision would be made on any further course of action. Before registering a case, we need to gather information."

The agency had sought details such as when the society was formed, how many members are there, who are the members and mode of payment made by them in purchasing the flats and documents related to various permissions granted by different departments of the government.

The plush housing society, built on prime defence land, has been constructed in alleged violation of rules. The building was originally meant to be a six-storey structure to house Kargil war heroes and their kin but was later extended 31 floors without taking any mandatory permission.

The allegation was that some of the relatives of politicians including that of Chavan had flats in the society.

Adarsh Housing Society members' lawyer Satish Maneshinde said "we have given certain documents to CBI and have sought further time to submit the remaining. We have also written to MMRDA officials asking them to take back the notice revoking the occupancy certificate of the society.

"The notice violated principles of natural justice; the building was constructed legally and necessary sanction that been granted by authorities including the MMRDA."