Chavan rules out CBI probe into J Dey murder case

Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan has ruled out handing over to CBI the probe into the murder of senior journalist J Dey and asserted that Mumbai police would crack the case soon.

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If the High Court orders the government to do it, the case would be given to the CBI to honour the court verdict. But, Mumbai police would put forth its case before the court properly," Chavan told a group of editors from print and electronic media who called on him on Tuesday afternoon.

Chavan said Mumbai police were working round-the-clock on the murder case and they will crack it soon. Dey (56) was shot dead by four unidentified assailants on 11^th June.

Referring to the demand for separate legislation to prevent attacks on journalists, the chief minister said the government was considering a proposal to include professionals from creative field like authors, artistes along with journalists in the draft bill.

He also said that there was no unanimity among the political as well as the media community over having a separate legislation for journalists.

Chavan said the number of fast track courts to deal with attacks on professionals like doctors, media persons will be increased.

He said if police personnel were found to be involved in the J Dey murder case, nobody will be spared and stringent action will be taken against them.

Chavan said that a government committee to keep a check on attacks on newsmen will be revived and strengthened with more powers.

Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express Shekhar Gupta, N Ram editor of The Hindu, Executive editor of The Economic Times Rahul Joshi, Editor of DNA Aditya Sinha, Sachin Kalbag editor of Mid-Day and Girish Kuber, editor of Loksatta attended the meeting.

Chavan puts onus on Deshmukh for land allotment

A blame game involving two former Maharashtra CMs erupted over Adarsh housing scam on Monday with Ashok Chavan saying the prime land was sanctioned by Vilasrao Deshmukh, now Union Minister, and he had no role to play.

In an affidavit before the Commission probing alleged irregularities in the controversial Adarsh Housing project, Chavan also said he was not involved with any recommendation to include civilian members in the building meant for armed forces personnel in upscale Colaba area.

Chavan, who had to step down as Chief Minister last year following Adarsh controversy, was the Revenue Minister from 1999-2003 when land was allotted to the Housing Society. Deshmukh was the Chief Minister during that period.

Without naming Deshmukh, Chavan said that for allotment of plot for value exceeding Rs 25 lakh and plots situated in Pune, Mumbai and suburbs, the decision for allotment is of the Chief Minister.

Deshmukh, who filed an affidavit before Adarsh Commission on 17^th June, had put the onus on the Revenue department and the Mumbai Collector saying that while allotting land to Adarsh Society he had acted on the proposal sent by them.

Countering the allegations, Chavan in his eight-page affidavit said, "There was no question of my suggestion that civilian members be included in the Society and any suggestion that this was discussed with me or that I had suggested or directed or decided on the same is false and denied."

Reacting to Chavan's affidavit, Deshmukh said," Now the judicial commission will decide who was right and who was wrong and other things. Everybody has the liberty to put forward his view."

Deshmukh had earlier alleged Chavan as the then Revenue Minister asked the housing society to change the bye-laws to include civilians in it.

Referring to the meeting with his department when he was the Revenue Minister, Chavan said, "In the meeting I have asked the department only to look into the issue relating to the allotment of the land and call for the required information in the respect thereof. No decision was taken at the meeting".

Chavan has been named among the 14 accused by CBI in its probe into the scam. He is accused of recommending 40 percent allotment of flats in Adarsh Society, originally meant for Kargil war widows, to civilians.

Chavan is also facing allegations that his relatives got flats in the society.

Chavan said when he was the Revenue Minister, the file on verification of Adarsh Society falling in CRZ, eligibility of members and value of land, was placed before him in July 2002.

"At that stage the matter relating to allotment of land was still only at the stage of verification of the proposal and there was no question of the Revenue department having taken any decision on allotment of land," the affidavit filed by Chavan said.

"This decision for allotment of land took place more than 16 months after I ceased to be the Revenue Minister. In view of this, I have no personal knowledge of any matter regarding the actual verification/approval of members by the department or matters related to allotment of the land to the Society," he said.

Chavan further said that when he was the Revenue Minister, his actions were only to seek compliance of the Government Resolution (GR) of July 1999 for allotment of lands belonging to Maharashtra.

"Matters relating to the eligibility of membership of the (Adarsh) Society, reservation of the land or membership of the society for defence personnel were all matters which were governed by the GR," he added.