Govt funds were used for several projects in the Samajwadi Party's former Cabinet minister Azam Khan's Jauhar University
The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has ordered a probe into allegations of misuse of Public Works Department (PWD) funds into construction of several projects in the Samajwadi Party's former Cabinet minister Azam Khan's controversial Jauhar University in Rampur.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who also holds the PWD portfolio, said on Sunday that the government has instituted an inquiry into how the PWD funds were used in executing projects in a private university.
Maurya claimed that during the review meeting of the department, it came to light that over Rs 150 crore were spent in construction of a fly-over, guest houses, buildings etc in Jauhar University with the PWD funds. "The government has sought more details on how government funds were used in a private university," he added.
The inquiry may land the Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan into trouble. When the Yogi government had come to power, Khan had threatened to "blow up the Jauhar University with dynamite if any attempts were made by the government to hold any probe or stall ongoing projects at the University".
Khan is already facing a probe for forcibly grabbing wakf property and cremation grounds. Khan is also accused of issuing orders to bulldoze 47 houses of Dalits in Rampur as they were obstructing the road leading to Jauhar University.
Dr Syed Aijaz Abbas Naqvi, In-Charge, Uttar Pradesh, Central Wakf Board, who is conducting an inquiry, had stated that many madrasas, cremation ground, other wakf and public property was allegedly grabbed by Khan. "Once the inquiry is complete, the Board will initiate legal process to take possession of these properties," he said.
Earlier, Madrasa Jamia Naimia Arabic University in Moradabad had issued a fatwa against Khan for allegedly demolishing a cremation ground into a road leading to Jauhar University. Maulana M Ali Naimi from the Naimia University said, "Demolition of cremation ground was against Islamic laws and a heinous crime in the name of Allah."
"Anyone indulging in such an act should bow before Allah, offer apology and return the grabbed cremation ground," he said after issuing the fatwa.
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