Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has partially accepted the report of the inquiry commission into the controversial Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society issue.
Under pressure from various quarters, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi, the government has decided to initiate action against bureaucrats indicted in the report. It has, however, let politicians named in the report off the hook.
No action will be taken against any politician, though the government has accepted the commission’s conclusion that former chief minister Ashok Chavan granted permissions to the society as a quid pro quo. Governor K. Sankaranarayanan has already denied permission to the CBI to prosecute Chavan.
Chief minister Prith-viraj Chavan defended the decision, saying the commission in its report has found no criminal offence and thus there is no need to take action against the political leaders. “Name appearing in the report does not mean the person was indicted,” he said.
The CM said, “In case of political patronage mentioned in the Adarsh panel report, we found no criminality.”
CBI to probe benami flats
When asked about the allegations of benami flats purchased by politicians in the society, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the CBI will investigate that angle.
The chief minister’s office also published an action taken report (ATR), turning down the old one. According to the ATR, cancellation notices would be served to 25 flat-owners of Adarsh CHS found ineligible by the commission. The state government has left it to the CBI to prosecute those holding benami flats in the building.
Justice J.A. Patil, head of the Adarsh Commission, reacted to the developments, saying, "The government’s decision to partially accept the report is indicative that its earlier decision of rejection was not correct. Also, it has not given reasons for parts that are not accepted today." Despite the acceptance of the report, it is difficult to say that the case has reached its logical end, he said.
