A two-member committee has been set up after an RTI activist alleged illegal appointments, financial irregularities and a lack of basic facilities in the institution
BARABANKI –– The Uttar Pradesh Government has ordered an inquiry into allegations of administrative and financial irregularities at the state-aided Madrasa Darul Uloom in Barabanki District’s Peerbatawan. A two-member inquiry committee has been formed to examine the complaints and submit a report to the authorities.
The case came to light after social worker and RTI activist Mohammad Talha Ansari, a resident of Rasauli town in Safdarganj police station area of Barabanki, submitted a written complaint to the Principal Secretary of the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department in May.
In his complaint, Ansari alleged that the madrasa was being run through a wrongly constituted management committee and that several appointments had been made in violation of established rules. He also raised concerns about alleged financial irregularities and the reported lack of basic facilities within the institution.
“Serious irregularities are taking place in the madrasa and an independent inquiry is necessary to establish the facts,” Ansari stated in his complaint to the government.
After receiving the complaint, the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department took note of the allegations and directed the Directorate of Minority Welfare to conduct an inquiry and submit a point-wise report within one week.
Acting on the government’s instructions, Director of Minority Welfare Sheeldhar Singh Yadav constituted a two-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to examine all records, verify documents, hear the complainant as well as the concerned parties, and prepare a detailed report.
Officials said the inquiry team has been instructed to carefully review all available documents related to the management committee, appointments and financial records before reaching any conclusions.
The allegations have attracted attention because the institution receives government aid and therefore falls under regulatory oversight. Questions relating to governance, transparency and compliance with rules are expected to be examined during the inquiry process.
Meanwhile, the madrasa management has strongly denied all allegations.
Mohammad Ilyas, Principal of the madrasa, rejected the claims and said the institution is functioning according to established regulations.
“All allegations levelled against the madrasa are baseless. The institution is being run in accordance with the prescribed rules and no irregularity has taken place,” Ilyas said.
The madrasa administration has maintained that it is prepared to cooperate fully with the inquiry and provide all required documents to the committee.
The inquiry committee is expected to hear both sides and examine the documentary evidence.
The case has once again drawn attention to the importance of transparency and accountability in educational institutions receiving public support.
