By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 12 Jul: Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop has taken serious note of the delay in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities involving Waqf properties in Uttarakhand. The commissioner has directed the authorities to submit the pending inquiry report within 10 days. The matter involves alleged discrepancies involving Waqf assets worth several crores of rupees and is being treated as one of serious public importance.
The officials concerned have been instructed to ensure that the investigation is completed within the stipulated time so that further action is not delayed. It may however be pointed out that the investigation into alleged irregularities and mismanagement relating to Waqf properties in Uttarakhand has failed to make the expected progress so far despite earlier directions. Taking serious note of the prolonged delay, the Garhwal Commissioner’s office has intervened and issued fresh instructions for the submission of the inquiry report within next 10 days. It is believed that the continued delay in the investigation is adversely affecting the disposal of the complaints, even though the allegations involve valuable public properties and require prompt examination.
It may be recalled that the Waqf Boards across the country, including in Uttarakhand, administer a large number of land parcels and other immovable assets. Over the years, allegations relating to encroachments, manipulation of records, misuse of properties and irregularities in their management have surfaced from time to time across the country and in Uttarakhand too. However, in many such cases, investigations and consequential action have not progressed at the desired pace despite complaints being lodged, allegedly due to lack of political or administrative will. A similar situation has now arisen in Uttarakhand, where the inquiry report has not yet been submitted despite orders for investigation having been issued earlier.
In view of the delay, the office of the Garhwal Commissioner has written to the District Magistrate (DM) of Dehradun expressing displeasure over the non-submission of the inquiry report. The communication states that following receipt of the complaint, the DM had been expected to conduct the necessary inquiry and forward the report to the Commissioner’s office. However, the report has not yet been received, resulting in unnecessary delay in the disposal of the matter.
It may also be recalled that the issue was initially raised by Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams, who had lodged a complaint with the State Government alleging large-scale irregularities in Waqf properties. According to the complaint, important documents relating to several valuable Waqf assets were allegedly missing from the Board’s office, raising serious concerns regarding the authenticity of records and the management of the properties. Treating the allegations as serious, the Government had ordered a detailed inquiry.
Subsequently, the DMs of Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar were directed to examine the status of Waqf properties in their respective districts by verifying revenue records and other official documents and to submit detailed inquiry reports. The objective was to compare the records maintained by the Waqf Board with Government revenue records to ascertain whether there had been any fraud, manipulation of records, illegal occupation or other irregularities concerning the properties.
The Garhwal Commissioner’s office has now categorically directed that the pending inquiry reports must be submitted within 10 days to facilitate time-bound disposal of the complaints. It has also indicated that if any irregularity, manipulation or fraud is established during the inquiry, such cases may be placed before the Land Fraud Coordination Committee for further examination and legal action in accordance with law.
Meanwhile, speaking to Garhwal Post, Shadab Shams said that he had earlier highlighted allegations relating to the alleged misappropriation of several Waqf properties and discrepancies in official records. He maintained that a demand has also been made for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the entire matter to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. According to him, the reports to be submitted by the DMs are expected to reveal several important facts, and if any fraudulent transactions or manipulation are established, strict action needs to be taken against those found responsible.
Attention is now focused on the reports to be submitted by the DMs, which are expected to provide clarity on the actual status of Waqf properties in the State. If the inquiries confirm any irregularities, they could pave the way for legal proceedings against those responsible as well as measures for the protection and proper management of the properties. Meanwhile, Dehradun District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan has assured that the matter is being pursued with seriousness and that efforts have been intensified to ensure that the inquiry report is submitted at the earliest.
