File photo: An activist alleged that Sushil Kumar Shinde handled the files of the Adarsh Society and gave it many clearances during his tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister between 2002-2003.
The Central Bureau of Investigation today told the Bombay High court that the agency does not feel it is legally necessary to name Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in the Adarsh Housing Society scam.
In an application to Bombay High Court, activist Pravin Wategaonkar pleaded that the Minister be added as an accused in the Adarsh Society scam.
The activist alleged that Mr Shinde handled the files of the Adarsh Society and gave it many clearances during his tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister between 2002-2003.
He also claimed that Mr Shinde owned a benami flat in the controversial society at Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai.
Former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, now dead, had deposed before the Adarsh commission that Mr Shinde had asked for inclusion of Major N W Khankhoje as member, even though the Major was declared ineligible for membership.
Mr Wategaonkar had thus alleged that Major Khankhoje did not have the financial capability to buy a flat and so someone else did it on his behalf that is why Mr Shinde had an interest in allotting a flat in his name.
Today the CBI affidavit to court said there was no proof to substantiate Mr Gidwani's deposition that Major Khankhoje's name was added to the society's membership at the behest of Mr Shinde.
The affidavit filed by CBI's Investigation officer K Babu goes on to say , "No evidence found that Shinde abused his position of power as a public servant to benefit someone from Khankhoje family in connivance with office bearers of Adarsh society"
A division bench of Justices P.V. Hardas and P.N. Deshmukh has adjourned hearing in the case till September 26.