Adarsh scam: Maharashtra government suspends 2 IAS officers

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has suspended two serving IAS officers Jairaj Pathak and Pradeep Vyas for their alleged involvement in the Adarsh Housing Society scam. In its status report submitted to the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government on Thursday said they will be under suspension till completion of the investigations.

The Maharashtra government also told the High Court that a high level meeting of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax authorities and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken place regarding the Adarsh probe.

The court told the government that it is a matter of defence of the country, it can't be taken lightly.

The Maharashtra government said Jairaj Pathak and Pradeep Vyas will be under suspension till completion of the investigations.

The court also asked the CBI to 'continue making the arrests to exihibit that the law is equal for all' after the investigating agency submitted its status report to the High Court.

The CBI on Wednesday arrested Maharashtra Finance Secretay Pradeep Vyas in Mumbai in connection with the Adarsh housing society scam. Vyas is also a former collector on Mumbai.

According to the CBI, Vyas (49), during his tenure as Collector from August 2002 to May 2005, allegedly connived with other accused and accepted false documents as proof of income and granted membership to those who were not eligible. His wife Seema Vyas, also an IAS officer, has a flat in the posh Adarsh building.

The CBI has alleged in its FIR filed on January 29 that Jairaj Phatak, during his tenure as BMC commissioner, had approved the height of the building to be increased from 97 metres to 107 metres on September 1, 2007.

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