"The state government sincerely feels that better counsel will prevail upon the Ministry of Defence to avoid litigation between the Union of India and government of Maharashtra as unwanted and frivolous pleas are raised about title of the land," the government has said in a letter to MoD.
The government's letter comes in reply to a notice dated May 28, 2012 issued by the Ministry of Defence to the state government and Adarsh society asking them to hand over possession of the land in south Mumbai to it. The notice demanded that the state government acknowledge MoD's title and ownership of the plot within two months failing which it would file a civil title suit.
The Adarsh society had earlier sent its reply to MoD, alleging that it was being targeted at the behest of high ranking officials who did not get membership.
The state government's reply sent by advocate Uday Nighot said the judicial commission, set up last year to probe the scam, had already settled the issue of ownership in favour of the state.
"The commission in its report dated April 13, 2012 has held that the land allotted to Adarsh is owned by the state government and that it was not reserved for Kargil war widows. This report has been accepted by the Maharashtra government," the reply said.
"In view of this report, it is our view that the Defence Ministry's stand and request for handing over possession of the land to it is not tenable," it said. MORE