Senior Congress leader Jaffer Sharief on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the allegations of encroachment of Wakf property.
Sharief, whose name was mentioned in the report submitted by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission, said he had a brief association with the Wakf Board. He said he didn’t even claim travelling and dwelling allowances as a member of the board, leave alone encouraging illegality.
Defending himself, he told the mediapersons that the report appeared to be politically motivated. It was against principles of natural justice as the Commission headed by Anwar Manippady hadn’t even bothered to hear the politicians before mentioning their names in the report. “Calculated attempts at tarnishing image of senior Muslim leaders should not be tolerated,” he said.
The Congress leader said Manippady was a “responsible man” and that he didn’t “doubt his sincerity”. But, Manippady’s association with BJP secured him the post of chairperson, and hence, he said, he suspected credibility of the report released by the BJP government.
He also said the government had itself encroached upon 150 acres of Wakf property, and despite legal battles, the government had not handed over the properties to the Board. A judicial commission headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, should be set up to probe the matter, he said.
He also demanded the government to investigate into the affairs of Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur and Amanath Co-operative Bank.