MUMBAI, June 5:
The CBI probing the Adarsh housing society scam has informed the Bombay High Court that it is thoroughly investigating the allegations made against Union Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde by a social activist based on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
This was stated by the CBI in an affidavit filed by it in the High Court on June 1.
Social activist Pravin Wategaonkar had in April this year filed an affidavit before the High Court based on the CAG report alleging that Deshmukh, former Maharashtra Chief Minister, own two proxy flats in the scam tainted Adarsh society in south Mumbai.
Wategaonkar, in his affidavit, had sought that the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the role of Deshmukh, Shinde and other politicians and bureaucrats for alleged irregularities committed by them while showing favour to Adarsh Society.
The High Court on April 30 directed the CBI and ED to file their reply affidavits to Wategaonkar’s allegations. The CBI in its affidavit filed on June 1 has said it was investigating the allegations made by Wategaonkar based on the CAG report.
“I say that the reference made by the petitioner (Wategaonkar) about the report of CAG on Adarsh society, which has brought out certain acts of commission and omission on the part of public servants are being thoroughly investigated by CBI”, states the affidavit filed by Ravindra Singh, CBI Superintendent of Police (SP).
“I say that the allegations made by the petitioner against Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Sunil Tatkare (Cabinet minister) and others are being thoroughly investigated by CBI”, the affidavit stated.
It further said that the agency has examined all relevant witnesses, including two former Chief Ministers as part of the probe.
“Whatever evidence has come on record are being ascertained. Investigations are at a crucial stage and efforts are being made to finalise the same at the earliest after which CBI shall file its final report”, the affidavit states.
The High Court had on the last hearing posted the matter on June 18 after CBI informed the Court that it would file its chargesheet in the case by June 15.
“It was noticed in the audit that in most cases decisions that were taken resulted in undue favour to the Society. Many of the officials who were involved in such decisions were direct beneficiaries. Either they or their relatives already were or later became members of the Society”, Wategaonkar said in his affidavit quoting the CAG report.
According to Wategaonkar, Vilasrao has procured two proxy flats in the 31-storeyed plush society as quid pro quo for the clearances given to the Society in his official capacity as Chief Minister and minister-in-charge of the Urban Development department.
The activist had sought the CBI and ED probe these irregularities. (PTI)
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