The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today recorded the statement of Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in the Adarsh housing case as he had allegedly accepted a proposal recommending 40% allotment of flats to civilians in the Mumbai society meant for Kargil victims when he was Chief Minister.
With the CBI trying to wind up the probe in the multi-crore scam, which had stirred a political storm in Maharashtra leading to resignation of Ashok Chavan as Chief Minister, an agency team arrived here from Mumbai and queried him on the reasons for clearing the file sent by Chavan, who was state revenue minister between 2003 and 2004.
When contacted, Shinde refused to divulge the details of his examination by the CBI. "It was only recording of statement and it won't be proper to divulge as the matter is under probe," Shinde told PTI here.
While the CBI maintained silence on the investigation, political circles attach significance to the fact that the development comes on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament during which questions could be raised as to why he was not been questioned by the CBI.
Shinde, as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, had allegedly accepted the proposal sent by Chavan as revenue minister, recommending that 40% of flats in the proposed society be allotted to non-army members. The society was originally meant for the kin of Kargil war martyrs.
After Shinde, the CBI may now record the statement of another union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh soon, who too had dealt with Adarsh files when he was the Chief Minister.