Mumbai:
As part of their investigation into the Adarsh housing scam, the CBI is conducting searches at the residence of former Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Jairaj Pathak.
His residence at Marine Drive is being searched by CBI officials.
Pathak was the BMC commissioner when the building got clearance from the high rise committee. His relative owns a flat in the building.
The Adarsh housing society was originally meant to be a six-storey structure to house Kargil War heroes and their kin but was later extended to 31 floors without mandatory permission.
The names of several leading politicians, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, ex-defence chiefs and top bureaucrats have emerged in the scandal. Chavan has been named in the FIR filed by the CBI.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had issued a show-cause notice to the controversial society for "blatant" violation of green norms. The minister suggested that some of the floors of the 31-storey building in upscale Colaba area of Mumbai be demolished as has been done in similar cases in the past.
The scam suggested a new low in corruption - flats meant for war widows and defence veterans had been cornered at prices unheard of for Mumbai's pricey Colaba area.