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The so-called CBI inquiry was filed by land-grabbers and the same was closed having found no case against me as explained above. It is unfortunate that newspapers like yours have come under influence of some vested interests and published incorrect information.

I would like to further clarify:

• The Government of Maharashtra had called for objections and suggestions before bringing this piece of land, now allotted to the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, in a residential zone. Why were these objections not raised at the appropriate time?

• The letter of intent for allotment of land was issued on 18th January, 2003. Where were these people all these days?

• It is only now when the membership of the society is likely to be finalised that those who could not be accommodated are complaining against the society. The society has already decided to transplant all plants and trees which are not required there to another site. It is a state government land, a large portion of which has been allotted to BEST, reserved for a helipad, dhobi ghat and a major portion is under heavy encroachments by slums. These vested interests have no objections to above allotments and occupation but are sore about the allotment of land to the society.

• Government of Maharashtra guidelines of 1999 make it mandatory to accommodate Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, economically backward persons in the society, with income less than Rs 7,500. How can there be objections to allot a flat to a Kargil Hero, a Subedar in the Army, and drawing more than Rs 10,000 as monthly pay?

• It is highly incorrect for The Indian Express to publish the names of any members who have not been confirmed as members of the society by the Collector, Mumbai. This is to gain cheap popularity.

• I am accused of being a wanted person by your paper and Dr. (Mrs.) Veena Maitra (Director General, Defence Estates). I am on medical leave under the advise of my Cardiologist being a heart patient. As far as Dr. (Mrs.) Veena Maitra is concerned she has a totally revengeful attitude against me.
— R. C. Thakur, C/2 Woodhouse Qtrs, Colaba Mumbai -400 005

• Samar Halarnkar responds: Mr Thakur is very much under investigation by the CBI, according to CBI spokesman Giridhari Mohanty. Significantly, Mr Thakur does not deny the point of the story: That politicians and others have wormed their way into a society that’s supposed to be for defence personnel only. Of course Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe allotments are mandatory in such a society, but surely the armed forces have such personnel?

The defence ministry has officially objected to the transfer of the land to the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, a fact that Mr Thakur overlooks in his urge to blame everyone.

Also, the Revenue department of the Maharashtra government has now said the allotment is provisional and that it is ‘‘examining’’ the entire case.