'Shinde too promoted Adarsh interests'

MUMBAI: Union power minister Sushilkumar Shinde allegedly played a major role in promoting Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society's "vested interest". This was alleged by National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM) led by Medha Patkar and IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y P Singh, in a complaint to Maharashtra's anti-corruption bureau (ACB) on Saturday.

NAPM alleged that Shinde, then Maharashtra CM, issued allotment letters to 51 members of the housing society on August 23, 2004, just a day before the election code of conduct came into place. The letters were issued without checking their eligibility and income criteria. Also, Shinde and his subordinates in various departments manipulated movements of society files ''by antedating the date of August 23, 2004'', NAPM alleged.

ACB should register FIR against Shinde and his department heads and book them, Singh said. According to him, there is enough evidence that Shinde took 'personal interest' in the matter. He along with 11 other department heads cleared allotment files in a single day. ''Not only did Shinde sign on forged documents and papers but also granted land at 20% of the market value,'' said Singh.

The allotment of land was cleared by Shinde on September 16, 2004. And, the rate was further reduced to less then 20% in some cases on the grounds that certain members could not afford even the reduced rates. NAPM has levelled eight allegations against five individuals, including Shinde and two civil servants, who cleared files and also ''manipulated documents'' to push cases of their relatives.

Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission chief Subhash Lalla, then principal secretary of urban development department, manipulated documents to obtain two flats worth Rs 16 crore for his mother and daughter. Shinde was contacted but he did not respond. Repeated attempts to contact Thakur failed.