HC asks CBI to segregate PILs on Adarsh scam as per issues

Mumbai, Aug 22: The Bombay High Court today asked CBI to segregate the public interest litigations on Adarsh Housing Society scam on the basis of issues.

The division bench led by Justice P V Hardas gave CBI and the petitioners two weeks to carry out this exercise. The High Court is hearing several PILs on Adarsh scam, about various issues involved. The judges said that every issue needed separate hearing.

The PIL filed by former journalist Ketan Tirodkar seeks to prosecute former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, accused of granting certain illegal concessions to the society in return for flats for his relatives. Maharashtra governor earlier this year denied CBI the sanction to prosecute him.

The PIL filed by social activist Praveen Wategaonkar contends that authorities should invoke Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the case, as several flats in the society were purchased in the names of proxy buyers. Wategaonkar, in another application, has sought that former Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde be made an accused for his alleged role in giving some questionable approvals to the society.

PTI