January 20: Bombay High Court today adjourned to February 2 a petition alleging undue favours shown by Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi in the grant of additional floor space index (FSI) to a construction firm for a residential complex in Prabhadevi.The petition, filed by Sushil Birje, prayed for a CBI probe into irregularities committed by Venus Housing Enterprises in developing a 19-floor building at Gulmoriwadi.Opposing the petition, Advocate General C J Sawant had informed the court on January 12 that Joshi was not involved in the matter. He also filed an affidavit by a police officer, who stated that investigation into an FIR lodged by the petitioner was under way and statements of 16 witnesses had already been recorded in April last.The petitioner's counsel, P Janardhan, said the building, `Hrishikesh Apartments,' was illegally constructed because only five floors were permissible under FSI rules.The petitioner filed an affidavit today alleging that the Chief Minister was personally known to the builder. He also alleged that the occupation certificate had been obtained by the builder with the Chief Minister's influence.
