AMN /
Maharashtra, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today gave sanction to CBI to prosecute former Chief Minister leader Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam case, days after the BJP-led government in the state recommended action against the Congress leader. The Governor’s office said that the Governor today gave his sanction to CBI to prosecute Chavan after consultation with the council of ministers.
On October 8, 2015, Joint Director CBI, Mumbai, had sought sanction for prosecution of Chavan under section 197 CrPC on the basis of additional or fresh evidence, like the report of Justice Patil Commission of Inquiry and the observations of the Bombay High Court in the criminal revision application. In December 2013, the then Governor K Sankaranarayanan had refused sanction to CBI to prosecute Chavan in the Adarsh scam.
Chavan, a Lok Sabha member from Nanded and MPCC president, had to step down as Chief Minister after the scam surfaced in 2010. He was among the 12 persons chargesheeted by the probe agency in connection with the case.
CBI had alleged that Chavan suggested inclusion of civilians in Adarsh Housing Society, meant for war veterans and widows of defence personnel, to secure flats for his relatives in the plush complex situated at Colaba in south Mumbai.
Meanwhile, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan today alleged that BJP’s “vindictive attitude” was behind the Governor’s grant of sanction for prosecuting him in the Adarsh scam case. Speaking to news agency in Mumbai, he said the grant of sanction for prosecution has been done at the behest of the BJP.
His reactions came after Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today gave sanction to CBI to prosecute him in the Adarsh scam case.
Chavan further sought to know how could the opinion of a new Governor change with a new government in power in the state. The (Justice Patil) committee’s report is absolutely clear that there was no reservation for land for any Army personnel and the land belonged to the state government.
Once the Governor has taken a conscious stand after consulting the highest legal authority in the country, he questioned if the Governor changes and the government changes, does it mean that the opinion also changes? Chavan alleged that BJP was putting “political pressure” on the CBI.
He further went on to ask whether BJP MP Kirit Somaiya is a part of the government that the government endorses his application and the process starts?