This has been revealed by the CBI in its over 10,000-page chargesheet filed on July 4 against 13 accused in the case. The special CBI judge will start taking cognisance of the chargesheet on July 24.
As per the synopsis of the document, Thakur had requested the then Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on May 21, 2000, to allot land in South Mumbai claiming that the defence authorities had granted permission for the residential tower, provided the society constructs a girls hostel for the children of Army officers serving in far-flung areas.
"In the said letter, it was falsely represented that the accused, including Thakur, had negotiated with the local military officials and got a green signal, provided a girls hostel is constructed for children of Army officers serving in far-flung areas," the chargesheet said.
Thakur in a February 2000 letter to the government had mentioned about the girls hostel.
The CBI said that the Chief Minister then forwarded Thakur's letter to the revenue department, which, on the basis of the letter, initiated the process of conducting a survey of the plot which could be allotted to the society.
The chargesheet also says that chief promoter and former Congress MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani played an "important role" in expediting the process for getting the allotment done.
Gidwani had written several letters to the CMO and other departments claiming that the flats would be constructed for the welfare of Army personnel. (More)