Delhi LG removes Alam as Waqf Board CEO, refers Board matters to CBI

New Delhi, Oct 7: Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday declared Mehboob Alam's appointment as Delhi Waqf Board CEO as illegal, dissolved the religious body and referred all Board matters involving alleged rule violations and corruption to the CBI for investigation.

"In view of the deliberate and persistent acts of illegality, violation of rules, allegations of corruption and possibility of mala fide intention, the whole matter related to the Delhi Waqf Board is referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation," a statement from the L-G office said.

Jung said Alam's appointment was "illegal and void ab initio" in the absence of necessary approval from the competent authority. He dissolved the board, the term of which was to expire in December 2016.

Special Secretary (Environment and Forests) S.M. Ali has been given the additional charge of board Chief Executive Officer.

Jung ordered handing over of all powers and duties of the Waqf Board to the Revenue Secretary and asked the officer to initiate steps as per the extant acts and rules for its reconstitution.

"The Secretary (Revenue), as per Section 99(2) of the Waqf Act, will exercise all powers and duties of the Delhi Waqf Board, under the provisions of Section 99 of the Delhi Waqf Act,1995, by or on behalf of the Board, till the time a new Board is constituted," the statement said.

The L-G asked the Divisional Commissioner to constitute a committee to review the legality and propriety of all decisions or actions taken by the board after its constitution in March 2016 and submit a report within a month.

IANS