Maharashtra govt: Will form panel headed by retd high court judge to look into Adarsh Society scam

The state on Monday told the Bombay high court it will constitute a commission of inquiry headed by a retired high court judge to look into the Adarsh Society scam.

The division bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and AP Bhangale was hearing a petition filed by Simpreet Singh urging the court to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the scam in which officers from the state as well as central governments are said to be involved.

Advocate general Ravi Kadam submitted that the terms of reference of the commission’s inquiry need to be sorted and will require time.

On behalf of CBI, additional solicitor general Darius Khambata said their inquiry is on and things will be clear by January 2011 on whether they will file an FIR in the case or not. In the previous hearing, the court was informed that CBI has commenced an inquiry into the scam.

Petitioner’s lawyer YP Singh argued that for registering an FIR the authorities just need information of cognisable offence. He alleged that names of three former chief ministers of Maharashtra have surfaced in the scam and there is enough material to lodge an FIR.

“The jurisdiction is with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). What is the harm if ACB registers a case?” he asked. He added that the state must come out with the names they contemplate to register an FIR against.

The judges directed the state and CBI to file their affidavits and adjourned the matter to January 18.