Adarsh scam: BEST ex-general manager denies role

Former BEST general manager Uttam Khobragade on Monday filed his affidavit before two-member commission probing the Adarsh housing scam. Khobragade, in his affidavit, has categorically denied of having any memory of handling any files pertaining to the Adarsh CHS during his tenure in the BEST.

“I do not remember handling any Adarsh-related file during my tenure as BEST GM,” stated his affidavit. However, he addmitted that his daughter had applied for the flat in the controversial Adarsh CHS. Since she was living abroad, the power of attorney was given to him, Khobragade said.

Earlier, Colonel Manish Erry, the army officer who has prepared the confidential report for the army dealing with the title of the disputed land, was cross-questioned in front of the commission.

Erry informed the commission that he was asked to look in to the truthfulness of the documents relating to the land in question by the Quarter Master General of Army Hqs and Additional Director General Land Works and Environment as the Chief of Army Staff wanted the report in the matter.

“I inquired with the defence estate officer Gita Kashyap whether the land in question is defence land and she replied in the negative. Therefore, I did not ask for further documents,” he said.

Erry also mentioned that he had met the superintendent of land records seeking the property card in the form of an application.