Society can withdraw ₹1.68 crore to spend on maintenance and litigation expenses

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to de-freeze the bank accounts of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, and allow them to withdraw ₹1.68 crore to spend on building maintenance and litigation expenses.

A Bench of Justices J. Chelameswar and S.K. Kaul did not agree with the CBI’s objections that the money was part of the benami transactions made to purchase the flats in the building.

The court said the investigating agency could not convince it how the withdrawal of the amount against a security of immovable properties would affect the probe, especially when the money is not part of the charge sheet or linked to any fraud.

In a hearing in 2016, the SC had expressed empathy for the efforts made by the residents of the 28-story scam-tainted Adarsh apartments to maintain the lifts and other facilities.

The court had asked the probe agency to understand the sentiments of the residents, who hope that one day, by a miracle, they may be able to get back possession of the apartments.

The building is now in the possession of the government following a SC order on July 22.

The society had then sought a direction to the Military Engineering Services, the custodian of the building, to ensure proper maintenance of lifts, generators, and firefighting equipment as the office-bearers of the society and flat owners have been barred by the apex court from entering the premises.