Adarsh scam: CBI approaches Maha govt for logistical help

MUMBAI: A month after seeking logistical support from the Maharashtra government for investigations in the Adarsh Housing Society scam, CBI is yet to receive any help and has approached the government once again, a senior CBI official said today.

A team of CBI officials met Maharashtra chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad yesterday and reminded him about a letter submitted by the agency last month requesting logistical and infrastructural support for further probe in the scam, the official said.

CBI had on January 29 registered a case against 13 persons including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and retired army officials, bureaucrats and state government officials on charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud and misuse of their official powers.

"After registering the case, searches were conducted at several places and voluminous documents were seized. We needed accommodation to keep those papers and question all the witnesses in the case," a senior CBI official said.

"The chief secretary has assured that all necessary steps would be taken immediately to provide us the required infrastructure," the official added.

The agency has also sought manpower like stenographers for the clerical part of the investigations.

The plush housing society, built on prime defence land has been constructed in alleged violation of rules. The building was originally meant to be a six-storey structure to house Kargil war heroes and their kin but was later extended to 31 floors without mandatory permission.