Adarsh verdict: BJP, Sena term it historic; Ashok Chavan parries queries

Mumbai: The BJP and Shiv Sena on Friday welcomed the Bombay High Court’s order on scam-tainted Adarsh Housing Society in south Mumbai terming it as “historic” while the Congress, which was haunted by the multi-crore case leading to the resignation of Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra Chief Minister, said the ruling has nothing to do with the party or its leaders.

“This is a historic decision by the High Court. This is the first time the Court has ordered the demolition of the building, almost 30 years after ‘Pratibha’ (a housing society off Warden Road) was demolished. This is a heavy blow to corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. Now (ex-CM) Ashok Chavan will have to face and answer more tough questions as he had given the required sanctions to construct the (housing) society,” BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said.

However, Chavan, who had to step down as CM in 2010, in the wake of the controversy and is facing prosecution in the case, told PTI, “I have not received the copy of the order. Unless I get it in my hand, I cannot comment on the issue.”

BJP leader Prem Shukla said, “Adarsh tower was erected on the corruption culture which was rampant in the Congress and today High Court has stamped it. Also, it should not be forgotten that it was the Congress which appointed Ashok Chavan, who lost his chief ministership on account of Adarsh scam, as the party’s state unit chief later.”

Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said the court order has “exposed the cancer of corruption” during the previous Congress-NCP regime.

“While in Opposition, we had raised this issue time and again in the State Legislature. The Commission set up by the previous government just before elections had tried to give them a clean chit against which we had raised our voice,” Gore said.

“HC has been very clear in its decision. It reaffirms the irregularities and has exposed the cancer of corruption prevalent during the Congress-NCP government,” she added.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said his party will continue with its legal battle to prove innocence of its leaders.

“The Congress party and our leaders have nothing to do with the demolishing of the building. The matter is between the petitioners and the High Court. As far as our leaders are concerned, we will fight the legal battle to prove we have not been involved in any wrongdoings,” Sawant said.

However, former Union Minister Milind Deora tweeted, “Adarsh verdict sends a strong message to bureaucrats & ALL political parties: the days of profiting from government land are long gone.”

Adarsh verdict sends a strong message to bureaucrats & ALL political parties: the days of profiting from government land are long gone

— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) April 29, 2016

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said nobody is above law and if rules have been broken, the guilty should be brought to justice.

“If there are irregularities by bureaucrats or ministers, there should be action within the frame of law. Let the government take its decision. If anyone has violated rules, the court’s decision should be welcomed. Nobody, whether it is minister or bureaucrat is above law. If power has been misused, nobody should be spared,” Malik said.

IPS officer turned advocate Y P Singh also hailed the HC order and said that its a half judgement and officers and politicians are yet to tried and sentenced.

“High Court has ordered to demolish the tower that was built owing to corrupt practises due to nexus of politicians and bureaucrats. This is a very important step and nobody would be spared now,” said Singh who drafted the pleas on the behalf of petitioners.