HC raps CBI in Adarsh missing files case

The Bombay High Court (HC) came down heavily on the CBI today for its slow pace of probe into the missing files case of the scam-hit Adarsh Housing Society. The High Court has sought a reply from the investigating agency tomorrow.

"This is a very serious matter. There should not be any soft handling. We are not happy with the speed of the investigation and CBI's conduct," a division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and RV More said.

In addition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan informed the state Assembly that the CBI did not inform the Urban Development Department (UD) about a missing computer hard disk used in preparing a note-sheet of the controversial Adarsh building.

The court's remarks came after YP Singh, counsel for petitioner Simpreet Singh pointed out that the four persons arrested by CBI in connection with the Adarsh files gone missing from the urban development department, were granted bail after the agency failed to file its chargesheet within the stipulated 60-day period.

"However, the CBI team probing the Adarsh case, has recovered a hard disk on May 9, 2011. The CBI has also taken into possession hard disks of 9 computers in UD on May 12, 2011 for examination," the Chief Minister said.

"Who are the officers in-charge for the case? Name them. We will take appropriate action against them. This should not have happened. Why could you not file a chargesheet in time?" Justice Desai questioned.

The court further remarked that CBI has arrested the "small people" in the case but has to also look into the role of "higher officials".

Asking the CBI to speed up the probe, Justice Desai remarked, "The petitioners are right in saying that they have no faith in you (CBI)..We want to ensure that the faith placed on CBI by the court is not misplaced."

Singh further pointed out to the court that CBI is giving preferential treatment to some big personalities like Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh.

"Treat everybody equally irrespective of their status. Expedite the investigation. You (CBI) cannot be going in your own pace," Justice Desai said.