Cement Scam

Cement scam refers to the alleged corrupt practices of the then Chief Minster of Maharashtra A R Antulay while allotting cement to certain builders in return of 'donations' by them to specified Trusts. A case filed against him in the Bombay High Court and he was held guilty because of which he had to resign on 12th January 1982. The State Government by its Food and Civil Supplies Department, issued a Resolution dated 12th September, 1978, directing that the sale and distribution of cement in the State would be controlled by the State Government and it would be sold throughout the State through authorised dealers of the Government. Meanwhile, A R Antulay, registered a Trust by the name Indira Gandhi Pratibha Pratisthan (formed with the stated objective of supporting artists and designers) and out-of-turn permits of large quantities of cement to builders were given who were depositing money in these Trusts as donation. P.B.Samant, a Socialist leader from Goregaon, and Ramdas Nayak, a BJP corporator filed a case against him at the Bombay High Court and Justice Lentin on 12th January 1982 gave an order saying that it was a clear case of corruption, following which Antulay had to resign. Arun Shorie as Editor of Indian Express extensively wrote about in the newspaper.

Some of the Builders who gave the money in order to get the cement were Raheja Developers, Amrut Builders, Hiranandani Builders, Makers Development Services, Bombay Builders, Evershine Builders, Nahar, Rizvi.

Justice Lentin gave his judgement inteh matter on 12th January 1982 and held that a nexus existed between the Chief Minister and the Builders and the donations made and the cement alloted to them had a relation thus holding Antulay for quid pro quo.