The move follows an inquiry that found rule violations and misuse. The land, involving Congress leader Salman Khurshid, has been taken back by the health department
FARRUKHABAD — A major administrative decision in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh has brought former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid into the political spotlight after the cancellation of a long-term land lease linked to his family trust.
The district administration has cancelled a 30-year lease of around 25 acres of land in the Nawabganj area, near Bansmai village. The land was earlier allotted to Dr Zakir Hussain Trust for running a charitable hospital.
According to officials, the land belonged to the Health Department and was leased on 1 April 1995 to the trust for establishing a charitable hospital named Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital.
The lease was set to expire on 1 April 2025. The trust is chaired by former MLA Louise Khurshid, the wife of Salman Khurshid.
After the lease ended, complaints were raised alleging violations of conditions attached to the agreement. Local MLA from Amritpur, Sushil Shakya of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), brought the matter to the administration’s attention.
Following this, the District Magistrate of Farrukhabad formed an inquiry committee including the Chief Medical Officer, Additional District Magistrate, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
The committee has submitted its report, which reportedly states that the trust did not comply with several lease conditions and that the land may have been used for purposes not aligned with the agreement.
Following the findings, the matter was escalated to the state government.
On 23 March, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak wrote to MLA Sushil Shakya confirming that the inquiry had been completed and violations were found.
He directed that the lease be cancelled and the land returned to the Health Department.
Acting on these instructions, the district administration formally cancelled the lease.
Officials confirmed that the land has now been taken back into government control and will be used for public healthcare services.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Avneendra Kumar said, “After the investigation, the lease has been cancelled. The land is now available for health services. This is a decision in the public interest.”
Following the cancellation, BJP leaders have described the decision as an administrative success and said the land will now be used to improve healthcare facilities in the region.
However, no official statement has been issued so far by Salman Khurshid or his wife regarding the cancellation.
The case has added a new political dimension in Uttar Pradesh, with discussions continuing over land use, lease agreements, and administrative oversight of long-term trust properties linked to public welfare institutions.
