Adarsh scam : Maharashtra Governor says no to prosecute Ashok Chavan

Mumbai – In a politically significant development, Maharashtra Governor K Shankaranarayanan has refused to give permission to the CBI to prosecute former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan. According to sources, the decision was taken by the Governor using his discretionary powers and the state Cabinet did not discuss or refer it to the Governor. The matter was not even referred to the Cabinet.

Ashok Chavan had to resign as chief minister after his name was figured in the Adarsh housing society scam in late 2010. The state BJP has expressed shock over the Governor’s decision and demanded the prosecution of Chavan.

State BJP president Devendra Phadnavis said, “Ashok Chavan’s case was a clear case of quid pro quo. We will explore all legal options, including approaching the Supreme Court.”

The government has incorporated the select committee’s recommendation that power to grant sanction to prosecute public servants be shifted to the Lokpal instead of the government. In Chavan’s case, after the chargesheet was filed naming him, he approached court arguing that CBI had not sought sanction to prosecute first. The court upheld that argument and on December 7 that the CBI had to approach Governor who subsequently declined to give sanction.

The housing society flats meant for war widows were allegedly allotted to powerful people at throw away prices. It had led to a nationwide outrage three years ago