Chheda likely to be let off

MUMBAI, December 12: The law officer in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, A H Chheda accused of failing to provide a counsel to defen...

MUMBAI, December 12: The law officer in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, A H Chheda accused of failing to provide a counsel to defend the education committee chairperson Neeta Naik in a contempt case, is likely to be absolved of the charge. According to sources in the corporation, she is likely to be let off with a warning expected to be served to her soon.

Sources said that the report submitted by Deputy Municipal Commissioner S R Dange found no fault with the law officer. Municipal secretary Sudha Khire is also likely to be served a warning letter by the commissioner, informed a senior officer.

However, Khire said she had not received any letter so far. “I was told by Chheda to inform Naik that the case was coming up for hearing the next day. I had done my duty,” she clarified adding that it was not her duty to provide legal advice to the chairperson. Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale said that he had not read Dange’s report. “I am busy with other important work related to the state government’s winter session. I will take the decision on the law officer later,” he said. However, he said that Chheda would resume duty from Monday adding that she had asked for a 10-days’ leave which ends on Friday.

Chheda was forced to go on leave following a verbal order by Additional Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad after corporators raised the issue in the house and created chaos in the house. Following this the commissioner ordered an enquiry and asking Dange to submit the report within 10 days. Meanwhile, the commissioner also sought legal advice from Advocate general C J Sawant whether it was binding on the part of the legal department to provide counsel for Naik. The case, however, was later dismissed after Naik tendered an unconditional apology to the High Court.