Adarsh scam: CBI to quiz Deshmukh

After Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, CBI, which is probing the Adarsh Housing Society scam, will soon question another Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in connection with the approval to the multi-storyed complex in Mumbai.

After Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, CBI, which is probing the Adarsh Housing Society scam, will soon question another Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in connection with the approval to the multi-storyed complex in Mumbai.

HT Image

Both Shinde and Deshmukh had, during their tenure as Maharashtra Chief Ministers, dealt with files and passed proposals pertaining to the 31-storeyed building in a posh south Mumbai locality, which was granted permission after allegedly flouting rules and regulations.

CBI sources said the statement of Deshmukh, Science and Technology Minister, will be recorded soon. Shinde was questioned on July 31 at his New Delhi residence by a team of CBI officials during which he was shown some files pertaining to the housing society.

CBI’s move comes after observations made by the Bombay High Court while hearing a public interest litigation to treat all suspects and persons involved in the scam equally.

The court had asked CBI not to get bogged down by big personalities and treat everybody equally under law irrespective of who they are. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Deshmukh was also heading the Urban Development Department and had given approval to a proposal made by Adarsh Society seeking deletion of an adjoining land reserved for BEST and change it to residential type.