Gupta asks for CBI probe into Delhi Waqf Board operations

New Delhi: The Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta on Thursday addressed a press conference asking Delhi L-G Anil Baijal to institute a CBI inquiry into the working of Delhi Waqf Board (DWB). Gupta added that all land and financial transactions involving the board must be stopped in the interest of fair play.

Accusing the board's Chairman, Amanatullah Khan of corrupt practices and irregularities of criminal nature in the board, Gupta said that the Chief Minister is depriving honest Muslims of their rights by ignoring alleged wrongdoings by Khan. The BJP MLA from Rohini accused Khan of appointing his "favourites" to positions within the Board without following the appropriate procedures and rules. Gupta said that Khan personally appointed 37 people close to him to the DWB without prior approval from the Revenue Secretary, Delhi Administration as well as the concerned Minister for Waqf Board of Delhi Government.

In addition, Gupta accused Khan of transferring DWB properties worth about Rs 100 crore to unauthorised persons. He also accused the DWB chief of approving tenancies in properties under the board through unauthorised methods.

With regards to alleged irregular practices within the board, Gupta also said that Khan had many a time ignored the basic procedure of consulting the Chief Executive Officer. The Delhi BJP leader also accused Khan of trying open several bank accounts in order to siphon-off the Board's money for his personal gratification. Gupta added that all the properties filed should be requisitioned by the CBI and that the entire record of all concerned files must also be taken by concerned authorities.