Govt orders probe into Salar Masood dargah’s finances

Times News NetworkBahraich: Allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of properties linked to waqf no. 19 of the Dargah Syed Salar Masood Ghazi have come under official scrutiny after a complaint seeking a probe was submitted to chief minister Yogi Adityanath.Taking cognisance of the complaint, minister in-charge for Bahraich, Dinesh Pratap Singh, has directed district magistrate Achay Tripathi to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit report.The complaint was filed by BJP minority morcha state president Kunwar Basit Ali, who alleged large-scale irregularities in the management of the dargah’s finances and assets over the past two decades. He claimed that income from offerings, rental receipts from shops, contracts and other waqf properties was not managed transparently and calls for a thorough examination of the functioning of both former and current office-bearers.The complaint seeks scrutiny of the role of current chairman Bakaullah, former chairman late Shamshad Ahmad, committee member and former minister Yasar Shah, and other individuals associated with the shrine’s management. It also calls for verification of the utilisation and transfer of waqf properties, allotment of shops, award of contracts and accounting of gold, silver and other valuables offered by devotees over the years.

Among the key demands is a special audit of dargah’s income and expenditure for the past 20 years. The complainant has also sought an inquiry into alleged irregularities in contracts awarded during 2024-25 and a review of the 2005 dacoity case linked to the shrine. The plea urges authorities to determine whether proper records were maintained and whether assets and revenues were managed in accordance with legal provisions.Following the minister’s directive, district authorities are expected to examine the allegations relating to finances, property management, contracts and valuable offerings. Officials said the veracity of the claims will be established only after the inquiry is completed and its findings reviewed.