Ashok Chavan seeks exemption from appearance before Adarsh panel

Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Seeking exemption from appearing before the two-member commission probing the Adarsh housing scam, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan said he did not want to depose before it as he had no further information on the issue.

He was summoned to be present Wednesday before the two-member judicial commission comprising Justice (retd) J.A. Patil and former state chief secretary P. Subrahmanyam, who are probing the scam.

However, Chavan's lawyer Amit Desai filed an application before the commission seeking exemption for him.

Desai told the commission that Chavan had filed an affidavit last year giving details about whatever knowledge he had about the Adarsh Society and that he has nothing to add.

In the application, Chavan said his deposition was relevant only for two issues related to ownership and reservation of the plot for war widows. He then declined to appear before the commission contending that the commission has already filed its report regarding the same.

The commission will, however, continue to hear arguments on his application Wednesday and then pass an order.

Chavan stepped down Nov 9, 2010, and was replaced by Prithviraj Chavan.