Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has given its nod for the dissolution of Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards as per the recommendations of a Central Waqf Council (CWC) committee. The government also accepted the proposal of the committee, led by Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand Waqf Boards in-charge Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi, to recommend a CBI inquiry against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and officials of the Waqf Boards.
The actual dissolution of the Waqf Boards will, however, take at least three weeks during which the government will send notice and seek reply from the parties involved.
Speaking to News18, Minister of State for Waqf Mohsin Razasaid said “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given his nod for the dissolution of Waqf Boards after reports of corruption and anomalies were found to be true. The report recommended dissolution of the UP Waqf Board immediately and prohibition on the entry of the accused in Waqf offices pending investigation. It will take around 20 days to finally dissolve the Waqf Boards as per the procedure.”
Waqf Council Member Syed Ejaz Abbas visited both Waqf Boards in Uttar Pradesh from March 21 to 24 and submitted the reports to the council. During his visit it was found that the UP Sunni Waqf Board and Shia Waqf Board were unable to perform the duty under the Waqf Act. The boards reportedly abused their powers and failed to comply with the directions issued by the Central Waqf Council.
The report by the fact-finding committee of the Central Waqf Council also alleged that Azam Khan misused his position as a minister to acquire properties under the boards. It also says that Azam Khan started a trust named Maulana Johar Ali Education Trust, through which he diverted funds from Waqf properties to it. The report also pointed out discrepancies in maintaining rent collection records of Waqf properties.
Speaking to ETV, Waqf and Minority Affairs Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said, “As per the findings in the report by the CWC, the government has recommended a CBI probe against Azam Khan and officials of both the Waqf Boards. The CWC had probed these charges and recommended removal of the chairpersons and further investigation in this regard.”
“I have written to CM Yogi Adityanath for removing both the chairpersons of the Waqf Boards and further investigation against them as well as the former cabinet minister Azam Khan, as recommended,” he added.
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