Stating that he did not handle the issues that are being probed now, former chief minister Ashok Chavan has pleaded with the two-member Adarsh commission to excuse him from appearing as witness.
"The applicant was not a necessary witness while deciding on issues referred to the commission under the terms of reference of this honourable commission," Chavan said in an application submitted to the commission on Tuesday.
Chavan has been asked to appear before the commission on Wednesday.
The Adarsh commission has been given 13 terms of reference for investigation, of which the report on the first two terms pertaining to ownership and reservation of the land has been submitted. Currently, the commission is recording evidence for term number 3, 4 and 5, which deal with the legality of reduction of Prakash Pethe Marg, de-reservation of the BEST plot and the contravention of the provisions of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act.
"The terms of reference under consideration at this stage deal with matters of ministries and departments of government with which the applicant was not concerned or connected during his tenure as a cabinet minister. The issue relates to the urban development department. As such, the examination of the applicant would serve no purpose," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"The terms of reference under consideration at this stage deal with matters of ministries and departments of government with which the applicant was not concerned or connected during his tenure as a cabinet minister. The issue relates to the urban development department. As such, the examination of the applicant would serve no purpose," he said.
{{/usCountry}}The commission, however, is yet to decide on the application and will hear the arguments on Wednesday. Counsel for the commission Dipan Merchant is expected to oppose the plea.
Chavan had resigned in 2009 after the fact that his relatives had got flats in the controversial housing society came to light.
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