Panel bars activist from examining ex-chief ministers

Observing that social activist Santosh Daundkar had made allegations against three former Maharashtra chief ministers without any evidence, the judicial panel probing the Adarsh co-operative housing society scam has prohibited him from examining witnesses.

Observing that social activist Santosh Daundkar had made allegations against three former Maharashtra chief ministers without any evidence, the judicial panel probing the Adarsh co-operative housing society scam has prohibited him from examining witnesses.

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Daundkar's affidavit accuses former CMs Sushilkumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Ashok Chavan of flouting rules to favour Adarsh. He has also filed a PIL with regard to the Adarsh scam in the Bombay high court.

The order was passed at the hearing of application filed by Adarsh society's lawyer, Saket Mone, contending that Daundkar cannot cross-examine any witnesses, who depose before the commission, because he was not a practising lawyer, or someone who could be personally affected by the case.

The commission, headed by justice (retd) JA Patil held that Daundkar, in his affidavits and during his deposition, had made allegations against several bureaucrats and three former chief ministers. But "the allegations have been made on the basis of suspicion and without any evidence."

"We feel that he would not be in a position to assist the commission and giving him the opportunity to cross-examine would only result in waste of valuable time," the two-member judicial commission said.