Adarsh: Ashok Chavan asked to appear before commission

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who had to step down from the position in November 2010 following Adarsh controversy, has been asked to appear before the commission next Wednesday.

The two-member commission, headed by a former Bombay High Court judge, had been formed by the state government to look into the allegations of the housing society.

"The Commission has asked Chavan to remain present before it on Wednesday," Saket Mone, advocate of Adarsh Housing Society said.

Chavan, who will be cross-examined by the commission, will have to answer all the allegations against him.

The commission, in its interim report had said that the land belonged to the state government, contrary to the claim made by the Ministry of Defence that it was a defence land.

Chavan is accused of recommending 40 per cent allotment of flats in the Adarsh Housing Society, originally meant for Kargil war widows, to civilians. Chavan is also facing allegations that his relatives got flats in the society.

He was the Revenue Minister from 1999-2003 when the land was allotted to the housing society. Vilasrao Deshmukh was the Chief Minister during that period.