Adarsh case: Now crucial hard disk goes missing

In a significant turn of events in Adarsh missing files case, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday told a magistrate that a computer hard disk of the Maharashtra Urban Development Department is missing even as the agency said it was mulling conducting polygraph tests on three arrested state government officials.

Three officials of the UDD -- desk officer Gurudatt Wajpe, assistant town planner N N Narvekar and a clerk Waman Rawool -- were arrested on May 5 by the CBI in connection with files pertaining to the scam-tainted Adarsh Housing Society going missing from the UDD office soon after irregularities regarding the plot came to light last year.

The CBI, while seeking further custody of the trio, told a magistrate that a hard disk from the UDD office is missing.

"The computer was used for preparation of note sheets pertaining to Adarsh society. The missing hard disk needs to be recovered," CBI told the court.

"The trio has been evasive in their replies during interrogation. We are hence planning to subject them to polygraph (lie detector) tests. We are likely to file an application before the court seeking permission," a senior CBI official told PTI.

Meanwhile, CBI, which had registered the missing files case after directions from the Bombay high court, has also questioned T C Benjamin, principal secretary of UDD.

"Benjamin had taken over as principal secretary after Ramanand Tiwari, one of the accused in the main scam case. Benjamin had also handled the Adarsh files. He was questioned on the basis of that capacity," the official said.

The CBI is probing allegations of corruption against bureaucrats and defence staff in connection with the 31-storey Adarsh Housing Society in south Mumbai.