Mumbai, June 25
Maps and some survey sheets from 1872-1960 related to Adarsh land and surrounding Colaba areas have gone missing from the land records office of the city, the fourth such instance of files related to the controversial society going missing.

The shocking revelations came to light yesterday when Sanjay Dikhle, Superintendent of City Survey and Land Records, told the two-member commission probing the scandal that historical maps of 1847 -- the first time when Mumbai was mapped scientifically -- and 1882 to 1960 were missing. The maps of 1847 or 1882 could have shown whether the Adarsh plot existed at the time.

The surveying of the island city, then known as Bombay, began in 1827 and periodic surveys have been carried out ever since. However, Dikhle stated that his office has managed to recover some records, including survey maps, dating back to 1872. He had also produced a survey map dating back to 1916.

After the Adarsh scandal hit headlines, a number of departments like the Urban Development Department, Environment Ministry and the Army Headquarters have reported loss of documents that could shed light on the ownership of the property.

The survey records are expected to provide important clues regarding the Adarsh case. Much of what is present Mumbai comprises of land reclaimed from the sea since the British Raj. While the Army claims that the plot on which Adarsh stands was in its possession since colonial times, the Maharashtra Government insists that it was reclaimed only after 1973.

The present-day South Mumbai area where Adarsh stands originally comprised of two islands -- Colaba and Old Woman's Island -- that were connected following reclamation. The 'island city' of Mumbai comprised of seven islands joined together following reclamation of land.

(With inputs from PTI)