The Enforcement Directorate on Monday started its investigation against former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and 12 others for money-laundering in connection with the Adarsh scam.
According to the ED, the accused obtained clearances from municipal and state government authorities illegally to construct the building and secured flats for themselves or relatives at rock-bottom prices.
According to the ED, Mr Chavan, while he was functioning as state revenue minister in 2000, entered into a criminal conspiracy with R.C. Thakur, Brig. Madan Mohan Wanchu and former Congress MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, the other accused in the Adarsh scam. Mr Chavan proposed that civilians too be made members of the society, the ED alleged, with the ulterior motive of including his relatives. After the induction of civil members into the society, state government officials expedited the process of land allotment, the ED told the Bombay high court on Monday.