Sunni Board denies Waqf property in name of UP minister, kin

Lucknow, Feb 22 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board today denied allegations that Waqf properties in Rampur were in the name of Samajwadi party leader and state urban development minister Mohammad Azam Khan or his family members.

Board chairman Hafiz Usman told mediapersons here that though the property -- a graveyard -- belonged to Waqf, the Board had given permission to construct shops there to prevent it from being occupied by squatters.

Denying media reports alleging Mr Khan's role in grabbing Waqf property at Rampur, Mr Usman made it clear that the minister was an honest person and no one can question his integrity.

''The wrong reports in a section of media, were aimed at maligning the image of Mr Khan and the Samajwadi Party,'' he alleged.

He said Property No-199 belongs to the Waqf at Rampur and there was no question of it being handed over to anyone else.

UNI MB ARS PA RK1726