Demolition warning and CBI probe on the way

The Ministry is set to issue a showcause notice asking the society why portions that violate the laws –sixth floor upward— should not be demolished. The decision to issue the notice comes after the Ministry scrutinised the papers sent by state government agencies relating to the clearance given to the building.

Simultaneously,pressure built from another side with the CBI preparing to file a case. A team of CBI officials from Mumbai will travel to the Delhi headquarters to apprise seniors of their findings,a PTI report said,adding the case is likely to be filed Friday.

The building was initially supposed to have only six floors but was later elevated to 31,allegedly at the behest of officers and politicians. Environment Ministry sources told Newsline that the option of demolishing the illegal floors was more than a warning,and a real possibility.

The controversy has already forced the resignation of Ashok Chavan as Chief Minister,following revelations that some of his relatives had also been allotted flats.

The Environment Ministry plan follows reports from Maharashtra’s environment department,the Coastal Zone Management Authority,and the urban development department. The ministry said it will give the society a chance to present its case. It is also said to be considering other possible steps to penalise the society.

The CBI’s moves follow a letter from the Defence Ministry asking the agency to conduct a probe. Defence Minister A K Antony had announced Tuesday that the CBI has been asked to probe the scandal.

The CBI is in process of collection of relevant records and documents but no case has been registered yet,a spokesman in Delhi said. In Mumbai,officials said a team would go to Delhi Friday and discuss the scam with seniors.

Sources told PTI that a case is likely to be registered Friday after CBI director Ashwini Kumar returns to the country from an Interpol conference.

PTI quoted Satish Maneshinde,lawyer for Adarsh Society members,as saying they have given certain documents to the CBI and sought time to submit the rest.