Shiv Sena’s Prabhu refutes Adarsh allegations

NEW DELHI - Shiv Sena leader Suresh Prabhu, who owns a flat in the controversial Adarsh housing society in Mumbai, Tuesday refuted allegations that he had given environmental clearance to the multi-storeyed residential structure during his ministerial tenure in 1999.

I was the minister of environment in 1998 till the middle of 1999. I never gave any clearance to the society. I never even remember anyone having come and met me on behalf of the society. I have nothing to do with the environment clearance given, Prabhu told a news channel.

He said he was never an office bearer of the society and didn’t know that the flats built on defence land were meant for the families of war heroes.

I made a booking of the flat, applied to the collector for a membership in 2006. I was an MP in the opposition which was one of the category entitled to apply for. I applied for it and borrowed loan, the Shiv Sena leader told CNN-IBN news channel.

Media reports had suggested that he got a flat in the Adarsh society in return for granting environment clearance.

Prabhu said he never even had the remotest idea that the flats were meant for the families of Kargil martyrs.

I would have never applied for something like this if it were meant for Kargil. I was shocked myself when I saw this on news. I never had any information like this.

I was told that MPs and MLAs can apply for this and thats why I applied as an MP.