Najeeb dissolves Delhi Waqf Board, refers probe into graft charges

Lt Governor has sought a report that will review the legality and propriety of decisions taken by the Board since March

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung dissolved the Delhi Waqf Board on October 7 after two of its members resigned alleging the board members of corruption.  The issue was earlier taken up by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had "superseded" the board. A CBI probe has also been sought in the matter.

The LG reconstituted the board, quashing all appointments made by its incumbent Chairman and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan.

Jung has directed Divisional Commissioner A Anbarasu to set up a committee to review the legality and propriety of all decisions and actions taken by the Board after its constitution in March. The committee was asked to submit a report within a month.

"In view of the deliberate and persistent acts of illegality, violation of rules, allegations of corruption, possibility of malafide (practices), the whole matter related to the Delhi Waqf Board is referred to the CBI for investigation," the LG office said in a statement.

Two members of the Board had earlier resigned alleging "corruption" and "irregularities in appointments" during Khan's tenure. The Okhla MLA had, however, denied the charges.

"Revenue Department's notification superseding the Delhi Waqf Board order of March 11, 2015. Reconstituting the Board and orders of services department appointing Mehboob Alam as CEO are declared illegal and void ab initio for not having obtained the approval of the competent authority and are revoked immediately," the statement added.

S M Ali, Special Secretary (Environment and Forests), has been given the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer of the Board till further orders.
 
According to the statement the decision to supersede the board was taken after it was felt that a revival would not serve any purpose. The Board's expiry is due this December and five out of seven members have already resigned.

Citing Section 99(2) of the Waqf Act,  the statement said further that the Secretary (Revenue) will exercise all powers and duties on an ad hoc basis until a new Board is constituted.