This Article is From Nov 01, 2010

CBI investigates Mumbai land scam: Sources

Mumbai: Sources say the CBI is investigating the Adarsh society scam after a complaint filed by a senior naval officer alleged that a collusion between politicians and defence officials deprived war widows and military veterans of the land.

The high-rise complex close to defence land in Mumbai's upmarket Cuffe Parade has been at the centre of the controversy for a host of violations. The Western Naval Command alleges the plot belongs to the Army and was originally allotted in 2003. Yet, in 2005, the state government staked claim to it.

The allegation is that this change in ownership made it easier to corner flats for politicians and senior Army officers.

The CBI, adds sources, will scrutinize documents submitted by the City Collector to examine issues of clearances, possession of land  and disproportionate assets of military officers who have been allotted flats.

The high profile flat-owners of the Adarsh Housing Society, who are the alleged beneficiaries of the violations, include former Army chiefs General NC Vij and Deepak Kapoor, former Navy chief Admiral Madhavendra Singh, former Union minister Suresh Prabhu, and Congressman Kanhaiyalal Gidwani.

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