After the string of suspensions of mutawallis (managers), an RTI query by activist SQ Masood has revealed that an inquiry ordered to investigate allegations of corruption against former Wakf Board chairman Syed Ghulam Afzal Bi yabani, chief executive officer Habeebuddin Ahmed and cur rent deputy secretary MA Gaffar has found them on the wrong side of the law in connection with irregular leasing of around 101 acres of land.
The report, which was submitted of a short time ago to the minority’s welfare department (MWD) for action, also noted lapses in their `integrity’ while discharging their duties.
The inquiry had been constituted to look into below par leasing and failure to adhere to procedures.
The land parcels in question incorporate 97 acres endowed to Dargah Hazrat Ishaq Madani at Devada village in Visakhapatnam, around 7.5 acres to Kottala Mosque at Dinnedevurapudu in Kurnool district, 4,580 square yards of graveyard land in Madinaguda, Miyapur and a building spread over 400 square yards in Kattalmandi in Himayatnagar.
A report, filed by inquiry officer (IO) Mirza Hasan Ali Baig who is at present posted as wakf survey commissioner, unveiled that a total of 97 acres of land at Devada was given on lease to four individuals and a company at throw away prices for mining of gravel. Ahmed and Biyabani had sanctioned lease for 25 acres for as low as Rs 12,000 per annum for excavation of gravel.
Another 25 acres endowed to the same institution were given at Rs 37,500 per annum and two other land parcels running into 15 acres each were leased out at Rs 20,000 per acre per annum.
The report also sought action against Biyabani and Ahmed for misleading the board by decreasing the “quantum of lease“ of land endowed to Kotta la Mosque from Rs 95,000 per acre to Rs 95,000 for around 7.5 acres by one S Vijay Babu from Vijaywada. The board was withholding from information about a higher offer of Rs 4 lakh for five acres made by another party.
Another glaring instance of deliberate mismanagement highlighted in the report shows that Biyabani overlooked the findings of the inspector-auditor of wakf who had recommended that a building at Ashiana Kattalmandi be given on lease between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000.
Instead it was given to an organization for only Rs 4,000 per month. Shockingly, no copy of resolution of tenancy was shown, Baig noted.
“The inquiry brings out the doubtful integrity of the chairman and other board members,” the report concluded. The IO also concluded that Gaffar and Biyabani had indulged in “corrupt practices“ by giving on rent 4,850 square yards of land at Re 1 per square yard per month.