Maharashtra government to appoint retired judge to verify allotments under CM quota

The state government on Monday informed the Bombay high court (HC) that it was willing to constitute a fact-finding committee led by a retired HC judge who would verify the authenticity of allotments under the chief minister's discretionary quota since 1982.

On March 20, the high court had struck down the state's policy of allotment to beneficiaries under the CM's quota. While setting aside the Government Resolutions, it had noted that the policy was "illegal, irrational and unfair". The state has been asked to frame a new policy which should be transparent and fair.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Ketan Tirodkar challenging double or multiple allotment of flats. The HC was recently informed by the state that it had filed FIRs against 27 people who had secured double allotments under the CM's quota.

"The state government has consented for the appointment of a judge along with two other officials from MHADA and the urban development department to verify the allotments," Advocate General Darius Khambata informed the court.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Girish Kulkarni said, "The ultimate exercise is to find out whether the allotee was entitled to an allotment or it was obtained fraudulently." The fact-finding committee will have to go through all the information starting from applications to documents submitted, and cross-check with other boards for cases of double allotment.

On October 6, it will pass a detailed order, laying down the terms of reference for the committee.