By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 5 Aug: A complaint received by the Chief Minister’s Office has led to registration of a police case against the managers and principals of three madrasas in Haridwar district, following an investigation that culminated in a First Information Report (FIR) being filed at Laksar police station. It may be recalled that significant irregularities were found in the utilisation of government assistance meant for mid-day meals in the Laksar area during the preliminary inquiry conducted in this matter. At Khwaja Garib Nawaz Madrasa in Jasoddarpur, the operators allegedly inflated student numbers and used forged Aadhar cards to secure undeserved government aid. Similar fraudulent practices were identified at Darul Uloom Asgariya madrasa in Nagla Khurd and Rashidiya madrasa in Mohammadpur Kanihari.
In response to the initial complaint, the Haridwar District Magistrate appointed Block Education Officer Brijpal Singh Rathour to conduct an inquiry. His investigation substantiated the charges, revealing misappropriation involving lakhs of rupees allocated for mid-day meal schemes. Consequently, police registered cases against the management and principals of all the three institutions at Laksar police station.
Commenting on the developments, Special Secretary, Uttarakhand Minority Welfare Department, Parag Madhukar Dhakate, has confirmed that irregularities in the disbursement of mid-day meal funds have been revealed during the inspections, leading to the registration of police cases. He further disclosed that similar complaints have been received against other madrasas in the state and assured that stringent action will be taken in each case. Dhakate also shared that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Home Department to investigate a broader scholarship scam involving madrasas.
