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Tag: waqf board

  • Seers body demand ‘Sanatan Censor Board’, claim Hindu deities projected inappropriately by Bollywood

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Top body of Hindu seers Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti on Friday demanded the setting up of a “Sanatan Censor Board”, claiming that Hindu deities and religious leaders are not being projected appropriately in Bollywood movies.

    The seers body also passed a resolution demanding the abolition of the Waqf Board and the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

    The demands were made in a meeting organised by the seers body here which was attended by various organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhara Parishad.

    In the meeting, the seers reiterated that they would pursue the issues of the Gyanvyapi mosque in Varanasi and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, All India Sant Samiti general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati said.

    “A resolution was passed in the meeting, demanding that the Waqf Board and the Ministry of Minority Affairs should be abolished,” VHP general secretary Ashok Tiwari said.

    The seers also discussed the issue of “inappropriate” portrayal of Hindu deities and religious leaders in Bollywood films and expressed strong objection to it.

    “They demanded setting up of Sanatan Censor Board, as Hindu deities, gods and religious leaders are repeatedly not being projected appropriately and shown in bad light in Bollywood movies,” Tiwari said.

    In the meeting, cases of beating up of seers for suspected child theft across the country were also discussed, he said.

    The committee also discussed the issue of delinking Hindu temples from government control and identifying state-wise problems to ensure national unity and integrity.

    PTI DR JTR IJT 10072248 NNNN

    NEW DELHI: Top body of Hindu seers Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti on Friday demanded the setting up of a “Sanatan Censor Board”, claiming that Hindu deities and religious leaders are not being projected appropriately in Bollywood movies.

    The seers body also passed a resolution demanding the abolition of the Waqf Board and the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

    The demands were made in a meeting organised by the seers body here which was attended by various organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhara Parishad.

    In the meeting, the seers reiterated that they would pursue the issues of the Gyanvyapi mosque in Varanasi and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, All India Sant Samiti general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati said.

    “A resolution was passed in the meeting, demanding that the Waqf Board and the Ministry of Minority Affairs should be abolished,” VHP general secretary Ashok Tiwari said.

    The seers also discussed the issue of “inappropriate” portrayal of Hindu deities and religious leaders in Bollywood films and expressed strong objection to it.

    “They demanded setting up of Sanatan Censor Board, as Hindu deities, gods and religious leaders are repeatedly not being projected appropriately and shown in bad light in Bollywood movies,” Tiwari said.

    In the meeting, cases of beating up of seers for suspected child theft across the country were also discussed, he said.

    The committee also discussed the issue of delinking Hindu temples from government control and identifying state-wise problems to ensure national unity and integrity.

    PTI DR JTR IJT 10072248 NNNN

  • Delhi Waqf Board irregularities: Court grants bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a case related to alleged irregularities in the Waqf Board, saying that “prima facie the allegations against the accused are not grave and serious in nature”.

    According to the FIR, Khan while working as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board had indulged in several irregularities, including illegally recruiting 32 people by violating all norms and government guidelines.

    The court said that as per the statement of the Waqf Board’s CEO, it was “prima facie shown that the accused being the Chairman of Delhi Waqf Board went ahead with the recruitment in violation of the instruction of the Delhi government, just to favour his relatives and members of his constituency.”

    But, there was no material on record to show that Khan had received a bribe from any contractual employee, the court said.

    The Waqf Board had previously recruited employees, without the existence of any rules, and there was no material on record to show that any of the recruited employees had paid bride to Khan, the court said.

    Regarding leasing of Waqf properties, the court noted that prima facie, no loss was caused to the public exchequer with regard to the creation of tenancies.

    There was also no material on record to show the entrustment of the Waqf fund to Khan or his exclusive dominion over it, nor was there any evidence to prove that any contractual employee after withdrawing the salary amount had repaid it to the accused, the court said.

    ALSO READ| AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s close aide arrested under Arms Act: Delhi Police

    Further, the court said that “prima facie entrustment of funds to the accused or its misappropriation is not made out.”

    “From the aforesaid discussion, it can be prima facie held that allegations against the accused are not grave and serious in nature,” the court said.

    The court then noted that out of 24 cases against Khan, he was acquitted or discharged in 20 cases and during the alleged assault on Anti-Corruption Branch officials, the accused was in their custody.

    The court said that as a sitting MLA, Khan was not a flight risk and there was no chance of tampering with already seized primary evidence, which was documentary in nature.

    “In the facts and circumstances, having regard to the principles governing the grant of bail as mentioned hereinabove, the application filed by the accused is allowed and he is admitted to bail subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 1 lakh with one surety of the like amount.” special judge Vikas Dhull said.

    The court, however, made it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arrested Khan after conducting raids at his premises on September 16.

    The then CEO of Delhi Waqf Board had clearly given a statement and issued a memorandum against such illegal recruitment, the FIR said.

    Further, it was alleged that as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, Khan rented out several properties of the Waqf Board illegally amid allegations of corruption and favouritism, it added.

    The FIR also alleged that Khan misappropriated funds of the Waqf Board comprising grants-in-aid from the Delhi government.

    NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a case related to alleged irregularities in the Waqf Board, saying that “prima facie the allegations against the accused are not grave and serious in nature”.

    According to the FIR, Khan while working as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board had indulged in several irregularities, including illegally recruiting 32 people by violating all norms and government guidelines.

    The court said that as per the statement of the Waqf Board’s CEO, it was “prima facie shown that the accused being the Chairman of Delhi Waqf Board went ahead with the recruitment in violation of the instruction of the Delhi government, just to favour his relatives and members of his constituency.”

    But, there was no material on record to show that Khan had received a bribe from any contractual employee, the court said.

    The Waqf Board had previously recruited employees, without the existence of any rules, and there was no material on record to show that any of the recruited employees had paid bride to Khan, the court said.

    Regarding leasing of Waqf properties, the court noted that prima facie, no loss was caused to the public exchequer with regard to the creation of tenancies.

    There was also no material on record to show the entrustment of the Waqf fund to Khan or his exclusive dominion over it, nor was there any evidence to prove that any contractual employee after withdrawing the salary amount had repaid it to the accused, the court said.

    ALSO READ| AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s close aide arrested under Arms Act: Delhi Police

    Further, the court said that “prima facie entrustment of funds to the accused or its misappropriation is not made out.”

    “From the aforesaid discussion, it can be prima facie held that allegations against the accused are not grave and serious in nature,” the court said.

    The court then noted that out of 24 cases against Khan, he was acquitted or discharged in 20 cases and during the alleged assault on Anti-Corruption Branch officials, the accused was in their custody.

    The court said that as a sitting MLA, Khan was not a flight risk and there was no chance of tampering with already seized primary evidence, which was documentary in nature.

    “In the facts and circumstances, having regard to the principles governing the grant of bail as mentioned hereinabove, the application filed by the accused is allowed and he is admitted to bail subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 1 lakh with one surety of the like amount.” special judge Vikas Dhull said.

    The court, however, made it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arrested Khan after conducting raids at his premises on September 16.

    The then CEO of Delhi Waqf Board had clearly given a statement and issued a memorandum against such illegal recruitment, the FIR said.

    Further, it was alleged that as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, Khan rented out several properties of the Waqf Board illegally amid allegations of corruption and favouritism, it added.

    The FIR also alleged that Khan misappropriated funds of the Waqf Board comprising grants-in-aid from the Delhi government.

  • ‘Not scared by you’: Nawab Malik ‘welcomes’ ED raids  in connection with Waqf board scam 

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI:   NCP leader and Maharashtra minority development minister Nawab Malik on Thursday said he welcomed the Enforcement Directorate’s raids in connection with the alleged land scam involving Pune Waqf Board as his ministry, under which the Waqf Board falls, had already started a clean-up action.

    “I want to say to the ED and its officers that I welcome their action as long as they want to clean the system. But if there is a campaign to malign my image because of the fight that we have started against the Central agencies, then I would say Maharashtra government does not get scared by them,” the outspoken minister said.

    He said the ED should clarify whether Devendra Fadnavis or any other BJP leader asked it to conduct the raids.

    Seven places in Pune and one place in Aurangabad were raided by the ED in connection with the case which involved irregularities to the tune of Rs 10 crore. 

    Addressing a news conference here, Malik took a dig at the central agency and said it is welcome to probe 30,000 entities under the Waqf Board.

    The Waqf Board will extend all the necessary cooperation to the ED, he said.

    However, it should show the same interest in probing the complaints made by the Shia Waqf Board, Lucknow, as well, the minister said.

    “If the ED thinks such actions (searches) will scare me, then it is under the wrong impression. Such acts will not deter me in continuing our clean-up operation under which central agencies are misused,” Malik said.

    In an apparent reference to the BJP, the NCP minister said he, along with his senior leaders, will send a list of documents of “some leaders” to the ED and urge the agency to probe them.

    Malik has been attacking the Modi government for allegedly misusing the central agencies, particularly the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), against BJP’s political opponents.

    Earlier in the day, the ED searched multiple premises in Pune and adjoining areas in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal sale of Waqf properties in Maharashtra.

    ED officials said at least seven premises have been covered and the action is being undertaken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

    The money laundering case is based on a Maharashtra Police FIR and the subsequent chargesheet, and the agency is collecting more information as part of the raids.

    Malik said the ED was welcome to probe any case it wants, but it appears that the entire purpose of its current action is to malign his image.

    He said ever since he took over as the Minister for Minority Affairs, the Waqf Board is functioning at its full strength with a full-time Chief Executive Officer.

    Malik said seven FIRs, too, have been registered by the Waqf Board since he took over to probe alleged irregularities.

    “We have launched a clean-up operation in the Waqf Board under which past members of the board and some officials may also face action,” he said, noting all businesses of the board are planned to be conducted online.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Retired IAS officer faces complaints over non-action in Chhattisgarh Waqf Board corruption

    By Express News Service
    RAIPUR:  A strong resentment is brewing against retired IAS officer D D Singh who “avoided” taking any decision on serious complaints over the prevailing corruption in the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board.The retired bureaucrat was given one-year extension from July 1 on contractual appointment as secretary, tribal welfare department under which the state Waqf Board functions.

    The objection is not against the extension but the continuation of the Waqf Board under his command. There are allegations against Singh, who has been secretary for over three years, for not acting on any of the serious complaints on the “prevailing misappropriation” and “massive encroachments” of Waqf properties.

    “We have also lodged complaints with the PMO giving evidence on illegal occupiers and blatant corruption in the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board,” alleged Iqbal Ahmed Rizvi, senior lawyer. 

  • ‘Absolutely frivolous’: Supreme Court on Rizvi’s plea to remove Quran verses, hands Rs 50,000 fine

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday termed as “absolutely frivolous” a petition filed by former UP Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi seeking removal of 26 verses from the holy Quran and dismissed it with a cost of Rs 50,000.

    A bench of Justices R F Nariman B R Gavai and Hrishikesh Roy rejected the petition in which Rizvi alleged that these 26 verses of Quran promoted terrorism.

    In his plea, Rizvi has stated that Islam is based on the concepts of equity, equality, forgiveness and tolerance but due to extreme interpretations of the said verses of the holy book, the religion has been drifting away from the basic tenets.

    ALSO READ | Muslim outfits welcome SC’s decision to dismiss Rizvi’s plea seeking removal of Quran verses

    The plea of Rizvi has drawn massive backlash with several Muslim outfits and Islamic clerics protesting against the former chairman of the Waqf Board.

    Last month, an FIR was registered in Bareilly against Rizvi for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Muslims with his petition in the top court.

    The FIR was registered at the Kotwali police station following complaints by Anjuman Khuddam-e-Rasool secretary Shan Ahmed and an organisation known as Ittehad-e-Millat council.

  • Waqf Board caps price of a grave in Delhi at Rs 3,000

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: After receiving complaints about exorbitant rates being charged for burial at different graveyards, the Delhi Waqf Board (DWB) has decided to cap the cost of about 20-24 square feet (sqft) of land required for the graves at Rs 3,000. The DWB is the custodian of several mosques and graveyards in the national capital. According to DWB officials, the management committees of Muslim cemeteries had been directed not to charge more than Rs 3,000 for a grave.

    “A slew of conditions are also being imposed. Some have been forcing people to cough up from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on the location. It is unfortunate that some consider this as a business and don’t think about the poor city residents. Now, all of them will be bound to the conditions of the Board,” said the official on the condition of anonymity. According to a report ‘Problems and status of Muslim graveyards in Delhi’ conducted by Human Development Society for Delhi Minority Commission in 2017, there are 131 graveyards in the city. 16 of these are not functioning due to litigation or bad landscape.

    The DWB is the custodian of 62 while the remaining are run or managed by private individuals, municipal corporations and the Delhi Development Authority. Himal Akhtar, a member of the Board, said that the decision had been taken to stop ‘loot’. “We will have to stop this swindling. High cost for graves is being charged from next of kin. We will take adequate measures to implement this ceiling of Rs 3,000. It will be binding to all burial grounds,” said Akhtar, who is also the chairman of Bar Council of Delhi.

    The cost of a grave in burial grounds in proximity to a shrine of a Sufi-Saint or a significant religious site is higher than the other cemeteries which are generally located in remote areas. “Several sites are running beyond their capacity. Pacca (stone structure) graves are not advisable. If relatives insist, they are asked to shell out more for a ‘permanent’ grave. But this practice should stop. The Board is fixing the price. It is a sensible move,” said a former member of a city graveyard committee.