CBI clean chit to Ashok Chavan in Adarsh benami case

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday did not name former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the benami property related to purchase of flat in the Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai.

The CBI filed a supplementary chargesheet against 23 financiers, including Sancheti Group and 22 co-conspirators, which included members of the housing society.

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The CBI was looking into the nexus and quid pro quo angles in 33 benami properties out of the 103 flats in Adarsh society and the matter was being probed under the Benami Transactions Prohibition Act.

A Maharashtra government inquiry panel had said 22 cases of purchase of flats were found to be benami.

The agency did not name Chavan, who had to resign as the chief minister after the scam relating to the housing society came light, contending there was no money trail linking him to the purchase of the flats and there was no evidence to prove his connivance.

It was alleged that two of Chavan's relatives were given flats in Adarsh for favours granted to the society. The CBI's decision to clear his name for lack of evidence in the probe into benami properties will come as a relief to the beleaguered leader who is contesting from Nanded Lok Sabha seat.

Among the co-conspirators were Major General (retd) T K Kaul. The case against K L Gidwani and Lt Col Amarjit Singh, named as accused, was abated as both of them died.

The CBI probed the role of some other politicians and businessman during its investigations. The agency has already chargesheeted Chavan and 22 others in connection with the alleged irregularities committed in building the housing society.

The CBI had accused Chavan of approving additional floor space index for Adarsh Society in return for two flats for his relatives. He was also charged with illegally approving, as the then revenue minister, allotment of 40 per cent of the flats to civilians when the society was allegedly meant only for Kargil war widows and defence personnel.

Image: Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan