The Supreme Court has allowed the Adarsh housing society, at the center of a major scam in 2010, to withdraw around Rs one crore from its bank accounts for maintenance and litigation expenses. The CBI had frozen these accounts during their investigation, but the society argued that the funds were collected from members for legal costs. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ruled in favor of the society and ordered the accounts to be defreezed. This decision could have an impact on the ongoing probe into the Adarsh scam, which had led to the resignation of the then chief minister of Maharashtra.
Adarsh Housing Society Scam: Supreme Court Allows Withdrawal of Frozen Funds
Background
The Adarsh Housing Society scam is a high-profile corruption scandal that emerged in 2010. The society, located in upscale Colaba in Mumbai, was originally intended for war widows and veterans of the Indian Army. However, it was later found that high-ranking officials, politicians, and bureaucrats had illegally allotted apartments in the society to themselves and their family members.
The scam sparked widespread outrage and led to the resignation of the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ashok Chavan. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched an investigation, which resulted in several arrests and chargesheets.
In 2015, the CBI froze the bank accounts of the Adarsh Housing Society in order to secure funds for potential compensation to victims.
Supreme Court Ruling
On August 30, 2023, the Supreme Court allowed the Adarsh Housing Society to withdraw around Rs 1 crore from its frozen bank accounts for maintenance and litigation expenses. The society had argued that these funds were collected from its members specifically for these purposes.
The CBI opposed the move, arguing that the funds were part of the ongoing investigation. However, the court ruled in favor of the society, stating that the release of funds would not hinder the probe.
Impact of the Ruling
The Supreme Court's decision could have a significant impact on the ongoing Adarsh scam investigation. The CBI may now face challenges in accessing funds that could be used to compensate victims or as evidence in the case.
The ruling has also raised concerns about the accountability and transparency of housing societies in India. Critics argue that the Adarsh scam exposed a systemic failure in regulations and oversight, allowing corrupt practices to thrive.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the Adarsh Housing Society scam?
It is a corruption scandal involving the illegal allotment of apartments in a society intended for war widows and veterans to high-ranking officials and their family members.
2. Who was involved in the scam?
High-ranking officials, politicians, and bureaucrats are alleged to have been involved.
3. What was the Supreme Court's ruling?
The court allowed the Adarsh Housing Society to withdraw Rs 1 crore from its frozen bank accounts for maintenance and litigation expenses.
4. What is the impact of the ruling?
It could hinder the CBI's investigation and raise concerns about accountability in housing societies.
5. What are the next steps in the case?
The CBI will continue its investigation, and the Adarsh Housing Society will face legal proceedings for its alleged role in the scam.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has warned the Centre against implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state, stating that the people of Tamil Nadu will launch a 'Get out Modi' campaign if their rights are snatched away. He also demanded the immediate release of funds for the education department and appealed to the opposition AIADMK to join the ruling DMK in protesting against the NEP. This has raised concerns over a potential language war in the state, impacting the future of Tamil children.
Telangana's Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has called out the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (BRS) for disseminating false information to the public regarding the sharing of Krishna river water with Andhra Pradesh. Reddy accused the former irrigation minister and BRS leader T. Harish Rao of trying to discredit the Congress government instead of taking responsibility for their own failures. Data from the Krishna River Management Board also showed a consistent imbalance in water usage between the two states, with Andhra Pradesh using over 60% of the water while Telangana's share remained below 36%. The negligence of the BRS government in addressing this issue has resulted in delays for crucial irrigation projects and water shortages for farmers in Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy districts.
After the sweeping victory of BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA, has been selected as the party's Chief Minister candidate. She will be sworn in at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, along with Parvesh Verma as the Deputy CM. This marks a historic moment as Gupta will become the first woman to lead Delhi, and one of the few women CMs in India. Security has been heightened with over 25,000 forces deployed for the event. Stay updated with ABP Live for live coverage of the event.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA, as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. She has taken oath at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan, along with other BJP ministers and top NDA leaders. The newly-formed Delhi Cabinet will have its first meeting where they are expected to approve several schemes, including the Centre's Ayushman Bharat. BJP leaders are hailing Delhi's victory as the country's victory following their big win in the assembly elections.
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns over a Lokpal directive that allowed complaints against a sitting High Court judge. A special bench has issued notices to the Centre, Lokpal registrar, and the complainant while seeking their responses. The bench has also restrained the complainant from disclosing the judge's identity and ordered that the complaint remain confidential, stating that this matter is "very, very disturbing" in relation to judicial independence.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin of Tamil Nadu has issued a stern warning to the Centre, declaring that the state will not allow the imposition of the National Education Policy and trilingual policy on them. In a well-attended rally organized by the ruling DMK and its allies, Udhayanidhi urged all political parties to unite in opposing the Centre's actions. He also demanded the release of funds due to the state's education department. This comes as part of the ongoing protests against the NEP, with a majority of protesters dressed in black, led by top leaders including MDMK's Vaiko and VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan.
After Fox News Digital posed the question, several Democratic lawmakers shared their opinions on the controversial USAID funding that has come under scrutiny, with some criticizing the reported mishandling of funds. In response, Fox News has launched a new live stream feature to allow viewers to stay informed and keep up with the latest news on this issue and others.
After winning the Rajouri Garden Assembly seat, Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Jagat Prakash Nadda for including him in the team that will work to fulfill PM Modi's vision for Delhi. He also thanked them for reinstating the position of a Sikh Minister, which was lost during the AAP government's tenure. Sirsa will be one of the six ministers to be sworn in at a grand event in Ramlila Maidan on Thursday. Other ministers include Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Ravinder Indraj Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh. The ceremony will be attended by top leaders, including PM Modi and Chief Ministers from various states.
In a case of great importance concerning the independence of the judiciary, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre on Thursday regarding a Lokpal order asserting jurisdiction to probe High Court judges. The notice comes as the top court stays the Lokpal order which received sharp criticism. Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Abhay S Oka expressed their concerns over the matter, while the Centre and the Registrar of Lokpal were issued the notice. Senior advocates argued against the Lokpal order, calling it "disturbing" and "fraught with danger".
In a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi, marking BJP's return to power after 27 years. Gupta, known for her strong grassroots connection, defeated her AAP rival in the February 5 elections and becomes the fourth woman to hold the position. Her campaign slogan, "Kaam hi Pehchaan," reflects her commitment to making her work her identity.