BJP welcomes Supreme Court verdict on Adarsh society

The Supreme Court’s verdict on the controversial Adarsh apartments has received mixed reactions from political parties. The apex court has directed the Cente not to demolish the apartments for the time being but take possession of the housing society by August 5.

Commenting on the directive, Congress stated that the issue is between the court and the society members. “Time and again we have been saying that Congress leaders have nothing to do with the case. It’s between the court and the society members. But we are concerned about people like Union minister Suresh Prabhu who owns a flat in the society,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant. Also linked to the Adarsh society scam was former CM Ashok Chavan’s name. He had to resign following the pressure that the controversy generated.

Meanwhile, NCP said that the apex court’s verdict should be respected. “The decision by the highest law authority of the country should be respected. One can have difference of opinion and also file an appeal. Not following the court’s verdict is, however, not healthy for the democracy,” NCP spokesperson Clyde Castro said.

BJP, however, has welcomed the SC verdict. “It is a slap on the face of the people who were defending Adarsh society. It is a fact that there were irregularities in the society and hence the court has told the Centre to take possession of the building,” said BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari.

When asked the fate of the flat owned by Mr Prabhu, Mr Bhandari said that the Union minister is expected to surrender it.

On the Adarsh Housing Society’s persistence that the Bombay high court’s decision to demolish the structure be stayed, a bench comprising Justices J. Chelemeswar and A.M. Sapre said that using the word “secure” meant that that the building would not be razed down. “We will secure the building and the land and there will be no demolition,” said solicitor general Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre.

“There shall be no interim order... except the fact that the Government of India will take possession of the building in question and secure it within one week from Friday,” said the bench. It later extended the deadline to August 5.