Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI): The Ministry of Defence today told the Bombay High Court that high-ranking officers from the Army and Navy were alloted flats in the scam-hit Adarsh Society while the 31-storey building was coming up near vital defence installations.

"Every General Officer Commanding in-charge (GOC, Army) between 2004 and 2009 got a flat in the building," MOD's lawyer said during the hearing today.

The Court was hearing Adarsh's petition pleading for restoration of Occupation Certificate, and water and power supply.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambata, representing MOD, told the court that the high rise in Colaba, South Mumbai could be a security hazard, because it was located near vital Navy and Army installations.

An Army supply depot and an oil depot were within 200 metres of the building, he said.

Khambata said, "Adarsh has unrivalled view of surrounding sea, shipping lanes...every flat in the Society has a direct line of vision into the office of GOC. It is such a security hazard."

Senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas, Adarsh's lawyer, retorted why the GOCs could not see the building coming up between 2005 and 2009, and should object only now.

Khambata said in reply that all five GOCs during this period had got flats in Adarsh. "Its a shame," he said.

Over 40 former or defence officers are members of Adarsh currently.

"We are living in a different world now and threat perception had increased after November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai.

"We have paid the price (on November 26) for not being security conscious...world has changed," Khambata said.

The High Court eventually refused to give any interim relief to Adarsh, denying restoration of water and power supply to the housing society.