Mumbai: In a politically significant development, Maharashtra Governor K Shankaranarayanan has refused to give permission to the CBI to prosecute former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan. According to sources, the decision was taken by the Governor using his discretionary powers and the state Cabinet did not discuss or refer it to the Governor. The matter was not even referred to the Cabinet.
Ashok Chavan had to resign as chief minister after his name was figured in the Adarsh housing society scam in late 2010. The state BJP has expressed shock over the Governor's decision and demanded the prosecution of Chavan.
BJP Maharashtra President Devendra Fadnavis said, "It is really very shocking if the Governor has refused consent to file chargesheet against Ashok Chavan. The BJP will explore all the legal options on this decision because there is a prima-facia case against Ashok Chavan and the CBI has given enough evidences so that he can be framed."
The government has incorporated the select committee's recommendation that power to grant sanction to prosecute public servants be shifted to the Lokpal instead of the government. In Chavan's case, after the chargesheet was filed naming him, he approached court arguing that CBI had not sought sanction to prosecute first. The court upheld that argument and on December 7 that the CBI had to approach Governor who subsequently declined to give sanction.
The housing society flats meant for war widows were allegedly allotted to powerful people at throw away prices. It had led to a nationwide outrage three years ago.
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