No need for CID inquiry in Wakf board irregularities: CM

Mumbai, July 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said there was no need for a CID investigation into the ongoing Wakf board controversy, relating to land allotments.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Deshmukh who was away in the United States for ten days, said an internal inquiry into the Kadri committee report, which spoke about irregularities in the land sale and transfer, is already on. ''If required, CID would step in,'' he said.

Pleading ignorance about the recent directives to the Wakf board by the state revenue department for reclaiming five of its properties including the one where industrialist Mukesh Ambani was constructing a multi-storeyed building in South Mumbai, Mr Deshmukh said since he was away, he will have to go through the official papers.

''As far as I know, the Wakf board had issued a NOC for the land alloted to Mr Ambani,''Mr Deshmukh said and denied that his brother MLC Dilip Deshmukh had also benefitted from the Wakf Board land deal. ''His land does not belong to the Board and the Supreme Court has also given orders to this effect,''he said.

To a question on whether the Board will be dissolved, Mr Deshmukh said Wakf Board chairman was an elected representative and other appointments are yet to be made.

It may be recalled that the Revenue department issued showcause notice to Wakf Board chief M A Aziz to reply to the Kadri committee findings about irregularities in land dealings within 15 days or face sacking. The department also asked Divisional collector, Aurangabad, to audit the properties belonging to the Wakf board and asked it to begin the process of reclaiming five properties including the one with Mr Ambani in Mumbai.

The controversy is the fallout of a stand-off between Wakf minister Anees Ahmed and the Wakf board chief M A Aziz, who is an MLC. Both belong to the Congress party.

UNI