Misappropriation of funds in Ajmer Sharif

New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) The Centre has once again sought time from the Delhi High Court to table the inquiry report of the committee probing the mismanagement and other bunglings of the management of the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer.

Justice T S Thakur and Justice Kailash Gambhir directed the Government to file by September 26 the findings of the 9-member committee report probing the bunglings of funds by the management of the Dargah. The court directed Mr Ahmed Raza, Nazim(adminstrator), the head of the committee, to remain present in the court on the next date of hearing, September 26.

A Public Interest Litigation was filed by Ms Shashi Pandey of an NGO' HUM AAP KE', alleging large scale bunglings in the funds of the Dargah Khwaja Garib nawaz at Ajmer.

The petition alleges large scale bungling of funds. Besides a probe in the mismanagement of funds, Ms Pandey has demanded setting up of modern educational and vocational centres to eradicate illiteracy and beggary. She has sought removal of unauthorised construction, encroachment outside the Dargah.

The Government Counsel, Monika Garg, told the court today that the government has been apprised of the matter and many more complaints regarding the mismanagement are being received by them every day. She told the court that the Government has to decide whether it should suspend some individual members of the committee or to dissolve the entire committee and have a fresh one. Seeking four weeks time from the court, Monika Garg told the court that since it is a very sensitive matter they are taking corrective actions as well as other remedial measures to sort out the problems at the Dargah.

Acting on the complaints, earlier, the government had appointed a seven-member inquiry committee headed by Ghayyur-E-Alam of central Wakf Council and member Maulana Azad educational foundation.

The Government in its affidavit has stated that it has taken cognizance of the alleged improper functioning of Dargah Committee and made steps towards remedial measures.

The petitioner filed a rejoinder in the court stating that the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, Rajasthan is governed in accordance with the provisions of Dargah Khawaja sahab Act,1955 and its byelaws 1958.

This act came into force after the nafarious designs and illegal activities of chowkidars, servitors, Khadims and trespassers were discovered. The home ministry, after taking into consideration the crucial recommendations of the then Justice Ghulam Hussain of Allahbad High Court committee, made Dargah Khawaja saheb Act 1955.

Thousands of devotees throng the Dargah everyday and make offerings in the form of gold, silver, dollars, pounds, cheques, drafts, chadars, ornaments and cash.

As these offerings have to be used for the betterment of the society, no such worthwhile project is being run by the Dargah management committee so far. There is no proper record of these offerings and the funds are being siphoned off for personal use.

The petitioner has also stated that the Dargah is in a chaotic condition, with too much of garbage, no toilet facilities, shops being run on the premises and the innocent pilgrims being physically attacked by the khadims. There are no proper security arrangements and the pilgrims are being robbed of their cash and jewellery.

Ms Pandey has also stated that the Dargah committee even supercedes the Sajjadanashin(religous head appointed by the Government)and takes the rule of law in its own hands.

UNI