[India Report] Former Indian cabinet ministers charged for scam in housing project

It is the picture of the Aarsh Housing and the Former Minster Mr.Ashok Chavan (Photo : Mera faisla)

The former Chief Minister of Maharastra Mr.Ashok Chavan and thirteen others were reported to have been charged by CBI(Central Bureau of Investigation) in relation to the Adarsh scam, according to some influential Indian newspapers Wednesday (July 4, 2012).

The Adarsh Scam is a housing society scam which was originated in the state of Mumbai in the Colaba locality, which is considered a sensitive coastal area by the Indian Defense forces and houses various Indian Defense establishments.

In earlier 2002, chief minister Maharashtra was asked to allot land in the heart of Mumbai for the construction of a housing complex for welfare of serving and retired personnel of the delfense Services. But over ten years, some higher officials, some of the politicians, bureaucrats and some of the other high influential persons manipulated the rules and managed to construct the building and then got themselves allotted flats in this premier property at artificially lowered prices for personal benefit, according to the paper. 

The issue was first raised in a newspaper report in 2003 but did not evoke any official reaction. In 2010, it was again raised by various newspapers and TV channels. Questions were raised about the manner in which apartments in the building were allocated to bureaucrats, politicians and army personnel who had nothing to do with the Kargil War and the way in which clearances were obtained for the construction of the building of the Adarsh Society.

It had led to the resignation of the then Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan. Some of the current allotters of the flats in the Adarsh co-operative society building have offered to return their flats, denying allegations that they were allotted flats because they influenced or helped, in some manner, the paper said.

It is the picture of the acused minister Mr.Ashok Chavan (Photo : Free News Journal.com)

The CBI formally brought charge in January last year against Chavan and others includinmg bureaucrats and retired army personnel. Some 10,000-page letters of complaint were filed with the court, nearly 18 months after the agency accused them, the papar said.

The agancy arrested nine of the 14 accused only after being chided by the higher court for not initiating action agains the accused persons, according to the Times of India.

 According to the Hindustan Times, Chavan is the first CM to be charged for conspiracy to grab land and they also quoted Chavan as saying athat “It is unexpected and unfortunate that my name has been included in administrative issue that was blown out of proportion by my political opponents to malign me and end my political career”

The news sources like The Hindu and The Economic Times covers another aspect of the news and informed that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) was allowed by the High Court to intermediate in Adarsh matter. The Maharashtra government and Adarsh Society have questioned the CBI’s jurisdiction to probe the alleged scam on the ground that neither the state government nor the High Court had handed over the investigation to the Central agency, as required under the law.

Sudhanya Ghosh Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia