Adarsh scam: Ashok Chavan wants more time to file affidavit

Former Maharashtra chief minister and an accused in the Adarsh Housing Society case, Ashok Chavan, today sought more time to file an affidavit before the judicial panel which is probing the scam.

The two-member commission, on May 10, had directed him to file an affidavit with regard to Adarsh files that he had dealt with during his tenure as state revenue minister.

Chavan is accused of recommending 40 per cent allotment of flats in the Adarsh Society, originally meant for the kin of Kargil war martyrs, for civilians. In return, his relatives, including his mother-in-law, got flats in the society which stands in a posh Mumbai area, it is alleged.

He had been given time till June 13 to file affidavit, but today he filed an application seeking more time. The commission would decide on it on June 13.

Till now, only union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who had also dealt with Adarsh files when he was the chief minister, has submitted his affidavit. Union rural development minister Vilasrao Deshmukh -- another former CM -- is likely to file his affidavit on June 17.

The commission has so far recorded the evidence of three witnesses, including Brigadier Deepak Saxena of state Army Headquarters, and Defence Estate Officer, Geeta Kashyap.