Dereserving Pune plot was not okayed: Mane

MUMBAI, NOV 25: Minister of State for Urban Development, Ravindra Mane, told the Bombay High Court that the former Pune Municipal Commissioner, Ramanath Zha, had not issued any orders for dereserving a prime plot in Pune to allow a housing complex built by Girish Vyas, son-in-law of chief minister, Manohar Joshi.

Mane submitted his affidavit in connection with the two public interest petitions that alleged illegal dereservation by the ministry. The petitions are heard by the bench of Chief Justice M B Shah and Y S Jahagirdar. With Justice Jahagirdar8217;s resignation, it is slated for hearing tomorrow before the Justice Shah and Justice S Radhakrishnan.

Earlier Zha and city engineer Madhav Harihar had submitted their affidavits in this regard. Their affidavits claimed that they dereserved the plot initially meant for a primary school only after receiving instruction from the UDD ministry.