Adarsh housing scam: Maharashtra government spikes report

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has rejected a report on the Adarsh housing society scam which indicted several politicians including three former chief ministers for ‘blatant violations’ of statutory provisions.

The state Cabinet’s decision generated angry reactions, with BJP and Shiv Sena members accusing the government of shielding Congress leaders allegedly involved in the scam.

The report of a 2-member commission headed by retired high court judge JA Patil came down heavily on those in authority describing the scam as a bad precedent which reflected, “greed, nepotism and favouritism” by those associated with it. The panel found 25 of the society’s 102 members ineligible and 22 cases of benami purchase of flats.

The report said Adarsh Society enjoyed political patronage of former chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Ashok Chavan, former revenue minister Shivajirao Nlengekar Patil, former minister for urban development Sunil Tatkare and former minister of urban development Rajesh Tope.

Ashok Chavan was the only chief minister chargesheeted in the scam by CBI but Governor K Sankaranarayanan refused sanction to CBI to prosecute him a few days ago. The beneficiaries included politicians across the spectrum and their relatives.

Those found ineligible for ownership of flats included former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar of NCP, former Shiv Sena MP Suresh Prabhu and three relatives of Ashok Chavan, who stepped down after the scam surfaced.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the decision on rejection of the findings of the inquiry commission was taken by the Cabinet “in the interest of the people”. He, however, refused to elaborate on how the Cabinet’s decision was in larger public interest.

The much awaited report, submitted to the state government on April 18, was tabled in the House on the last day of the Winter Session on Friday.