Now, Chennai's 'Adarshgate' exposed-7 Dec 2010,

Now, Chennai's 'Adarshgate' exposed

7 Dec 2010, 0916 hrs IST

After the Mumbai Adarsh Society scam, which saw flats meant for Kargil heroes being allotted to politicians and other defence personnel, another land scam involving bureaucrats has come to light in Chennai. Documents accessed by TIMES NOW shows that land was given by the Karunanidhi government to judges, bureaucrats, and DMK party members at massive discounts.

What is, however, more shocking is that the bureaucrats, who already own property in the state, were given plots under the category of social workers.

When confronted with the facts, Ashok Dongre, the state housing secretary claimed ignorance about the alleged scam saying that this kind of allotment was impossible.

Reporter: What if people (who already own other properties) have got a new plot, and taken possession?
Ashok Dongre: If it come to our notice, it comes to the government's notice, we will definitely take action.
Reporter: Is double allotment wrong? I have a doubt. Double allotment is wrong, right? It can't be done?
Housing Secy: I don't know if it's a case where it has been allotted to the wife or...
Reporter: No it has been done to the same person
Housing Secy: It's not possible. It's just not possible. I am surprised

Among the beneficiaries, Tamil Nadu Intelligence Inspector General of Police, Jaffer Sait, who handed over the plot to a private builder, is making a windfall in crores. High Court judge M Satyanarayana got a 2,200 square ft plot in his wife’s name and serving High Court judge Bhanumati got a double allotment, despite having other properties.

People like private secretary to the chief minister Rajamanikan's son got a plot as a social worker. DMK minister Veerapandi Arumugam, whose granddaughter and daughter-in-law both got plots, are also involved. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Yasodha also received a plot as a social worker.