Adarsh scam: CBI approaches Maha guv yet again seeking permission to prosecute Ashok Chavan

New Delhi: CBI has again approached the Maharashtra Governor seeking sanction to prosecute former chief minister Ashok Chavan in connection with the Adarsh Housing Society corruption case. CBI sources in New Delhi said the agency approached Governor Vidyasagar Rao after it got “fresh evidence” against Chavan in the case. [caption id=“attachment_2602200” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Ashok Chavan in file photo. Reuters[/caption] In December 2013, the then Governor K Sankaranarayan had refused sanction to CBI to prosecute Chavan in the Adarsh housing scam, leaving the agency with no choice but to close the case against him. Chavan, who had to resign as Chief Minister after the scam surfaced in 2010, was among the 12 persons who were charge-sheeted by the agency in connection with the case. CBI had alleged that Chavan suggested inclusion of civilian members in Adarsh Housing Society meant for war veterans and widows of defence personnel, to secure flats for his relatives. CBI had first approached a trial court seeking to drop Chavan’s name as an accused on the ground that the Governor had refused to sanction his prosecution. As the CBI court rejected it, the agency moved the Bombay High Court. The High Court too dismissed CBI’s application last November observing that the Governor had refused sanction for prosecution for conspiracy charges under the Indian Penal Code but he can still be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The charge-sheet not only alleges conspiracy but also refers to Chavan’s individual acts when he was the Revenue Minister and later the Chief Minister, the HC had said. “Charges levelled against Chavan for the alleged individual acts cannot go away only because the Governor has refused to grant sanction for prosecuting him for conspiracy and cheating,” Justice M L Tahaliyani had said. PTI