Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 13: State Wakf minister, Zameer Ahmed Khan, who stated in the Legislative Council that the report of former chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, on the misuse of Wakf property would be entrusted to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation, changed his stand within a short while. Thereafter he stuck to the stand that he had never made this promise.

During the question hour in the Legislative Council on Thursday July 12, BJP member, Arun Shahapur, had raised question on the issue. In reply, Zameer said that the report stated above would be scrutinized, and if Wakf properties were found to have been embezzled, the same would be given to CBI for investigation. BJP members, who had been insisting since long for CBI investigation into the scandal, erupted in joy and thumped their desks.

During the discussions which followed thereafter, Zameer and minister, Khader talked among themselves in hushed voices. Thereafter Zameer said that he had only clarified that he would look into the matter, and had never promised for CBI investigation.

Zameer also challenged the BJP legislators to check the records. He said that Anwar Manippady had submitted the report 18 months after he stepped down as chairman of Minorities Commission. "When the report was submitted, BJP was ruling the state and D V Sadananda Gowda was the chief minister. Why did you not entrust the report to CBI?" he questioned.

He also said that legal opinion on the report submitted on March 26, 2012, had been obtained and the same was placed before the advocate general. The report was tabled in front of the ministry on March 3, 2016, and the recommendations of the commission were rejected, he clarified.

Leader of the opposition, Kota Srinivas Poojary, taking umbrage, wanted to know what prevents the minister from presenting the report in the house. He said that if the government believes in transparency, it would have moved the report here. He said that this makes it clear that the government feels that there are many high value irregularities.

Verbal friction between the two sides ensured after which Council chairman, Basavaraj Horatti, commented that the minister had agreed for CBI investigation. But Jabbar Khan Honnali said that it cannot be done as the issue is before the court.