Bombay High Court satisfied with progress in Adarsh case

Mumbai, Mar 16: The Bombay High Court today expressed its satisfaction with the CBI probe into the Adarsh scam after perusing the progress report submitted by the agency, which claims to have unearthed ''benami'' transactions by certain influential members of the Housing Society.

"We are positive that CBI is investigating in the right track. Some time should be given to the agency to conduct further probe including the missing files case which is also a serious offence," a division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and Rajesh Ketkar said.

The bench was hearing a bunch of petitions filed in connection with the scam, which included the Society''s petition seeking for CBI to de-freeze their bank accounts and social activist Simpreet Singh's plea wanting the High Court to supervise the investigation.

While hearing the Society's petition, the court asked CBI to consider if some concession can be given regarding the Rs 32 lakh dues of the Society in upmarket Colaba area here.

The Society has been directed to file an affidavit giving a list of their dues by Mar 25. According to the petition, the Society has incurred several expenses up to Rs 32 lakh which has not been payable as the accounts have been seized.

"Investigations have revealed that prime accused KL Gidwani has three flats in the Society under Benami names.

All transactions made by the accused are from the Society's accounts. More instances of Benami transactions are evident and needs to be proved further," Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambatta, appearing for CBI said.

PTI