The high court’s direction to demolish the controversial Adarsh Housing Society has elicited mixed reactions from politicians in opposite camps.
The high court’s direction to demolish the controversial Adarsh Housing Society has elicited mixed reactions from politicians in opposite camps. While Congress and NCP have tried to distance themselves from the decision, the BJP has welcomed it. Activists who were pursuing the matter in the court said former Congress chief ministers Sushilkumar Shinde and Shivajirao Nilangekar should also be brought under the scanner, as they violated the rules by using their position while constructing the building.
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, who has a flat in the society, said he would approach the Supreme Court against the decision. “I have not done anything wrong by taking membership of the society. I have nothing to do with the scam if any. It is not a crime to become member of any housing society, as I wanted to have a decent house to stay in. We will seek justice from the Supreme Court in this matter,” Mr Awhad said.
However, activist Praveen Wategaokar, who has been pursuing the matter in court, termed the decision as the ‘first step’ towards action against the illegal structure. “The society land comes under CRZ-II and it is not permissible for construction. However, Sushilkumar Shinde allotted the land by using his office and the CBI should now take action against the former chief minister. I will pursue the matter further and want to bring Shinde and Shivajirao Nilangekar in the ambit of law that they violated rules by using their positions,” Mr Wategaonkar said.
Former chief minister Ashok Chavan refused to react on the issue, terming the decision as a matter between the court and the society. “Why should I react on the issue It is between the court and the society. The society had gone to court against the decision by the environment ministry. I have no role in this and also, I have not seen the judgment,” Mr Chavan said. The Congress leader had flats in the society and had to step down from the chief ministership after the controversy erupted.
BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari welcomed the decision and said it was historic. “It is a lesson to the politicians and bureaucrats. It is clear that the decisions taken by Ashok Chavan in connection to Adarsh society were illegal. The court had given similar verdict 30 years back to demolish the illegal Pratibha building. Today’s decision is on the same lines,” Mr Bhandari said.
In its chargesheet filed by July 2012, the 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 order to raze the building comes after the Union ministry of environment and forests passed an order to demolish the scam-hit society in 2011. The list of violations includes cases of 22 benami flats. Bureaucrats Pradeep Vyas, Jairaj Phatak, P. V. Deshmukh, Ramanand Tiwari, late Congress leader Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, retired brigadier M.M. Wanchu, ex-defence estate officer R.C. Thakur, retired major general A.R. Kumar and retired major general T.K. Kaul were arrested in connection with the scam.
