Adarsh scam: Panel examines Subhash Lalla

The transfer of FSI from the adjoining plot is a significant point of controversy as it helped the society build additional floors and increase the height of the structure to 103.6 metres.

Lalla’s mother Sushila Shaligram and daughter Sumeela Sethi own a flat each in the society.

The witness was later shown a letter addressed by S S Kshatriya,the then general manager of the BEST undertaking,to Ramanand Tiwari,the then principal secretary of the Urban Development Department. The letter was regarding the grant of extra FSI and carried a remark “as desired by the principal secretary to the Chief Minister.” During his deposition,Lalla said,in this context he was “acting as desired by the CM (Sushilkumar Shinde).”

Earlier in his deposition,Lalla had claimed that an order of the revenue department,which conditionally permitted the use of FSI,had not been shown to the then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

He,however,said during his tenure,he had not personally seen the files pertaining to the Adarsh society. However,during cross examination by the counsel for the state government,Lalla was shown a note signed by the CM pertaining to the same issue. Lalla subsequently admitted that his previous answer was incorrect.