Now, Jawad seeks CBI probe against Azam

LUCKNOW: A day after minority welfare minister Azam Khan wrote to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for a CBI probe into what he called the ‘loot’ of waqf properties in UP and alleged that these were carried out by relatives of Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad, the cleric hit back, demanding a similar probe into Khan’s assets.

“I would be more than happy with a CBI probe, provided it also covers Azam Khan’s properties,” Jawad said in a counterattack.

Jawad demanded that the CBI probe must also look into allegations about Khan diverting nearly Rs 150 crore meant for the construction of boundary walls of minority graveyards for his Jauhar University, which has only recently been granted minority status. Jawad also claimed he had documentary evidence to prove that in 2005 Khan had allowed illegal constructions on waqf land inside the Rampur Fort. “He was the minister then as well and we have documents that expose his claim of being an honest man,” Jawad alleged.

Azam had described Jawad as a BJP man and, as if on cue, the BJP too jumped into the controversy by denouncing Khan for dragging top party leaders into the row.

“We strongly object to our leaders being dragged into what is clearly a personal issue between the cleric and the poli- tician,” state BJP spokesman Manoj Mishra said. To Khan’s accusation that Jawad wanted his brother-in-law to be made Shia waqf board chairman, the cleric said, “Why would someone, who had quit on his own, lobby for reappointment to the same post?”

On his part, Khan said, “The cleric has made baseless charges against me. I am open to any probe. In fact, had I been wrong would I have demanded a CBI investigation?”