Ashok Chavan to be prosecuted in Adarsh scam

Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao has given sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute former chief minister Ashok Chavan in connection with the Adarsh Housing Society scam.

Earlier, the CBI sought sanction for Chavan's prosecution on the basis of the report of Justice Patil Commission of Enquiry and the observations of the Bombay High Court.

The Governor had sought the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers and was advised by them to grant the sanction. Chavan was among the 13 people chargesheeted by the CBI in the Adarsh scam in July 2012.

The other accused, including top IAS officers and office bearers of the Adarsh Housing Society, were arrested earlier.

Chavan was forced to step down as the Chief Minister in November 2010 after it emerged that three of his relatives had been given apartments in the 30-storey building.

CBI had alleged in its chargesheet that Chavan had increased the floor space index of the controversial Adarsh society in return for flats for his relatives. Chavan as revenue minister had also asked the housing society to include 40 per cent members from civilian category despite it being originally meant only for war veterans, CBI had alleged, claiming Chavan played a key role in the scam.

Chavan's mother-in-law Bhagvati Sharma, sister-in-law Seema Sharma and father-in-law’s brother Madanlal Sharma have flats in the society. All of them have been held ineligible by the judicial panel to own flats in the society.

In its charge sheet filed by July 2012, CBI had accused Chavan and 12 others of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct under Indian Penal Code and also under Prevention of Corruption Act. The court is, however, yet to take cognizance of the charge sheet.