Tuesday, 13 AUGUST 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams has sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into Waqf properties across the nation, especially Piran Kaliyar in the Haridwar district. Amidst the move by the Union government to amend to the Waqf Act, which has been objected to by the opposition and some Muslim preachers, Shams met the Union Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju at his residence in the national Capital and sought a CBI probe into Waqf properties in all States. Shams said that most of the properties of the board in Uttarakhand are occupied. Those who have carried out a loot in the name of Waqf properties for decades are now opposing the amendment to be made. “Some mafia elements in Waqf have turned the properties meant to be used for the welfare of the poor, into their places of indulgence. They have occupied various properties of the board in the State,” Shams said.
Seeking a CBI probe, he told the Union minister that the properties of Piran Kaliyar in Roorkee should also be investigated by the agency. He said that a CBI probe of Waqf properties may expose one of the biggest scams in the nation. The Uttarakhand Waqf Board has about 5,300 properties of which the majority are occupied by illegal tenants, he added. Shams informed that Rijiju had assured him that the matter will be investigated. He also met the Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam and the party’s minority cell national head Jamal Siddiqui, informing them about the corruption in the name of Waqf. The leaders spoke about exposing those indulging in such corruption along with undertaking a public awareness campaign. Shams said that he will soon meet chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and inform him about the whole matter.
