File photo: Retired IAS officer Uttam Khobragade with his daughter, diplomat Devyani Khobragade
Uttam Khobragade, father of diplomat Devyani Khobragade, has refuted allegations that claimed he and his daughter submitted a false affidavit to procure a flat in the controversy-ridden Adarsh building in South Mumbai.
"Adarsh has become a tool to harass people and damage their administrative as well as political career. This started almost three years ago. Now, since discussions are going on about me joining a political party this week, suddenly news of prosecution regarding the affidavit has surfaced. There is nothing wrong in the affidavit," Mr Khobragade told NDTV.
Sources had told NDTV that the Central of Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to file a case against Mr Khobragade and his daughter Devyani in the Adarsh Housing Society scam for allegedly acquiring a flat on the basis of a false affidavit.
As part of its investigation, the CBI is probing alleged illegal beneficiaries and 'benami' property holders in the housing scam.
Mr Khobragade, a Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, is a former CEO of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority.
Mr Khobragade also defended his daughter, saying, "All the papers regarding Devyani's application of membership in Adarsh were signed by me. Devyani was not even aware about which papers I had signed; she had given me power of attorney."
Speaking about the affidavit, he said, "In the affidavit given to the society, we had stated that Devyani was not the owner of any flat in Mumbai. At that time, Devyani was a member of the Meera Cooperative Housing Society but by becoming a member of a society, you do not become the owner of a flat. Meera Cooperative Housing Society was under construction in 2004 when I gave the affidavit or affirmation on behalf of Devyani."
"Before making even the first payment for the Adarsh flat, the flat in Meera Society was disposed of by us. We were allotted a flat in Adarsh in 2009. So it is clear that there is nothing wrong in the affidavit," he added.
Devyani Khobragade, India's former deputy consul general in New York, was arrested by United States authorities in December last year over alleged visa fraud. She was transferred back and is now posted in India.