Mumbai: The scam in Mumbai's Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society Defence has not only rocked the Congress party but also the armed forces with many defence officials cornering flats meant for Kargil war heroes, their dependents and war veterans.
In another major revelation the defence audit officer has sought explanation from the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Mumbai on transfer of defence land to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society
CNN-IBN has accessed the defence audit letter written to GOC, Mumbai on October 8, 2010 in which the auditors have raised several questions on how defence authorities gave their approval to transfer land to Adarsh Society in 2000.
The auditor wants to know why Maharashtra Cabinet's approval was not taken to transfer land from defence to state government. The auditors also want GoC Mumbai to provide list of defence personnel who benefited from the society
The audit note assumes significance in the wake of revelations that flats were allotted to top ranked defence officers, politicians and bureaucrats. The audit clearly states that permission was sought to make housing society for ex-servicemen and war widows.
The auditors also want to know why no effort was made to take back land as it was near very sensitive defence units.
The Army officers who are under the scanner for the scam include Major General Tej Kishen Kaul (PVSM, AVSM, VSM). Major General Tej Kishen Kaul was the sub area commander and directly responsible for all land when the project was conceived. He allegedly deflected all resistance and opposition to the plot and got the security clearance to the project signed by an officer.
The role of two other senior Army officers Brigadier Tara Kant Sinha and Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh are also being investigated.
Brigadier Tara Kant Sinha was a Colonel at the Maharashtra and Gujarat Area when he ensured that all queries related to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society were resolved and no fingers pointed..
Lt Gen Tejinder Singh retired just a few days back as the Colonel Commandant of the Guards regiment. He was the GOC during the period when the scam took place. Once he became a member, he allegedly nurtured the society and prevented anyone from raising voices.
Meanwhile, the Army has already submitted its preliminary inquiry report to the Ministry of Defence and a Court of inquiry is likely to be ordered this week.
The Army has sought legal advice and the role of over 40 officers will be investigated. All retired and serving Army personnel will also face the Court of Inquiry.
Sources say Major General RK Hooda is one of those likely to be investigated since he was the Mumbai Sub Area commander till three months ago.
The possibility of flats being owned in proxy is also not being ruled out. In case the CBI steps in then disproportionate assets could also be investigated.
Thirty-five armed forces personnel have been given flats in the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society. Some of them have returned the flats after the scam was exposed.
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