Adarsh scam: Seven years on, little progress made in case

The key accused in the case, former member of legislative council Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, died in December 2012

Despite being one of the city’s most controversial scams involving top politicians and senior army officials, little progress has been made in connection with the Adarsh housing society case over the past seven years.

The Adarsh housing society plot, on the accused constructed a 31-storey building on the plot, violating norms. (HT File)

In 2011, the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) had registered a case against 13 accused, including former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, over alleged irregularities in the construction and allotment of apartments in the 31-storey Colaba high rise, originally meant for the families of Kargil war heroes. Following an investigation, the agency filed its charge sheet in July 2012.

However, the case hasn’t moved ahead since then, with the special CBI court yet to take cognisance of the charge sheet.

The accused had challenged the case in higher forums, owing to which the trial was stayed on several occasions.

The key accused in the case, former member of legislative council Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, died in December 2012.

The case returned to the courts last year, when Thane resident Pravin Wategaonkar moved the Bombay high court, seeking a further investigation into the scam.

Wategaokar said there were several irregularities in the investigation. He also alleged that the benami transactions had not been looked into.

Acting on Wategaokar’s petition, the Bombay high court ordered an investigation into benami transactions in connection with the Adarsh case. Investigations are ongoing, with the CBI looking into various angles.