MP: Case against me part of conspiracy, says Ghufran Azam

Former chairman of MP Waqf Board Ghufran Azam has said the case registered against him by Economic Offences Wing is part of a conspiracy and is intended to defame him.

Former chairman of MP Waqf Board Ghufran Azam has said the case registered against him by Economic Offences Wing is part of a conspiracy and is intended to defame him.

Addressing a press conference, Ghufran Azam said the particular case pertains to decision over land, in which no monitory transaction was made, and it was not his decision but that of the entire board.

“The EOW issued a press release in which they just named me though it was the board’s decision. In fact, this complaint was made to EOW years ago. The complainant, who approached the EOW, had made the same complaint to Lokayukta and the high court then,” said Azam.

The veteran politician said, "After high court asked the state government to pass an order on it, the government directed principal secretary to examine the matter, and it was found that the decision was taken in public interest."

According to Azam, EOW has no authority to register case in the same complaint that has been disposed of earlier.

"Is EOW bigger than courts and tribunal? If the Waqf Board has taken a decision and someone has an issue, then under Waqf Act, the proper place to make a complaint is the Waqf Tribunal, not even the civil court can hear it. In fact, EOW has no locus standi to register FIR," he said.

Azam said he has written a letter to superintendent of police, EOW, asking the latter to reveal who released the press note. "I will file a defamation suit against the EOW," he said.