After it reinstated Adarsh-tainted bureaucrats Jairaj Phatak and Pradeep Vyas, the state’s law department has hastily removed two prominent lawyers who were representing the state in the Gharkul housing scam case of the late ’90s. The move has led to speculations that the government is shielding former Shiv Sena MLA and Housing Minister Suresh Jain, a prime accused in the case, and attempted to woo him during the Lok Sabha polls.

The two lawyers — N K Suryawanshi and P P Chavan — were representing the state government in the trial against Jain and 51 others accused of corruption. The Gharkul housing scheme was meant to provide homes for the poor in Jalgaon, and as then housing minister, Jain allegedly used his power to secure loans and advances, and siphoned off the funds.