No evidence to implicate Shinde in Adarsh scam: CBI tells HC

Giving a clean chit to Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in the Adarsh scam, the CBI today told the Bombay High Court it has no evidence to suggest he abused his position as a public servant to secure membership of the controversial society for a person known to him.
The agency also said it does not feel it "legally necessary" to make Shinde, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, an accused in the case.
The CBI's averment were made in an affidavit filed in response to a petition by social activist Pravin Wategaonkar seeking Shinde be made an accused in the case as he allegedly owned benami flats in the 32-storey building in upscale Colaba, close to a sensitive defence establishment.

"CBI does not feel it legally necessary to name Sushilkumar Shinde as an accused person in the ongoing investigation being carried out by it," the affidavit states.
According to Wategaonkar's application, Shinde had suggested inclusion of late Major N W Khankhoje as a member of the Adarsh society.
Former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, alleged kingpin in the case, had deposed before the Adarsh commission that Shinde had asked for inclusion of Khankhoje as member.
"Khankhoje's membership may have been pursued by K L Gidwani but it cannot be confirmed as Gidwani has passed away. The CBI charge sheet states that civilian members in the society were included at the instance of Gidwani," the affidavit reads.

"Investigation conducted by CBI does not reveal any family relationship between Khankhoje and Shinde. There is nothing on record to substantiate deposition made by Gidwani to the commission that Khankhoje was included by Sushilkumar Shinde," the affidavit filed by K Babu, a senior CBI official, states.