Adarsh: A scam that rocked Mumbai and Maharashtra government

Little has moved in the case that was first filed seven years ago; as per the CBI’s FIR, Chavan got involved when he was state revenue minister in 2000

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its first information report filed on January 29, 2011, had named former chief minister Ashok Chavan as accused number 13 in the Adarsh society case.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan talks to reporters at his office on Friday. (Bhushan Koyande/HT)

According to the FIR, Chavan got involved in a criminal conspiracy when he was the state revenue minister in 2000. His proposal that civilians be made members of the society was approved. His ulterior motive — allowing his relatives to secure flats in the society.

RC Thakur, brigadier Madan Mohan Wanchu and Kanhaiyalal Gidwani were also involved in the plot, said the FIR.

The CBI said that after civil members were inducted into the society, state government officials expedited the process of land allotment.

In 2009, then chief minister Chavan exempted the society from reserving 15% space for a recreational ground — an exemption that was not allowed by the previous government.

In turn, Chavan secured membership for his close relatives, according to the CBI. According to the FIR, Chavan abused his official position to favour the society.

A case was filed on the charges of conspiracy, cheating, forgery and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The CBI had recorded Chavan’s statement in connection with the case. It had also questioned several people to ascertain the number of civilians who got flats in the society on Chavan’s orders. They found that there were six such flats.

Two were registered in the names of Chavan’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

In 2014, former governor K Sankaranarayanan refused sanctions to prosecute Chavan. The CBI had moved an application in a special court, seeking the approval to remove Chavan’s name from the list of accused, which was rejected.

In October 2015, the joint director of CBI, Mumbai, had sought sanctions to prosecute Chavan under section 197 (issuing or signing false certificate) of the criminal procedure code, based on fresh material, namely, the justice Patil commission report and the Bombay high court’s observations of the criminal revision application.