{"id":4796,"date":"2025-07-15T10:45:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4796"},"modified":"2025-07-15T11:15:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:45:20","slug":"from-protests-to-complicity-minister-zameer-khans-silence-on-waqf-scam-raises-eyebrows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4796","title":{"rendered":"“From Protests to Complicity: Minister Zameer Khan\u2019s Silence on Waqf Scam Raises Eyebrows”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Karnataka Waqf Board Scandal: Allegations of \u20b93.17 Crore Fraud in Ambulance, Freezer Purchases Spark Outcry<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Bengaluru:<\/strong>\u00a0Shocking allegations of rampant corruption and brazen misuse of public funds have rocked the Karnataka State Waqf Board, with accusations that senior officials inflated procurement costs for ambulances and dead body freezers, causing a staggering loss of \u20b93.17 crore to the exchequer. Former political secretary to late Prime Minister V.P. Singh, Syed Ashraf<\/span>, has demanded immediate intervention from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging a high-level probe into what appears to be a blatant scam.<\/p>\n

Inflated Ambulance Deals: \u20b92.09 Crore Excess Paid?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In a damning memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, Ashraf exposed glaring financial irregularities in the Waqf Board\u2019s purchase of 26 ambulances from Force Motors through an intermediary, M\/s Khiviraj Motors. While the manufacturer reportedly offers fully-equipped ambulances at a discounted bulk rate of \u20b930.04 lakh per unit, the Board allegedly paid a staggering \u20b938.06 lakh per vehicle\u2014an excess of over \u20b98 lakh per ambulance, totaling an unjustifiable \u20b92.09 crore loss.<\/p>\n

Ashraf questioned why the Board bypassed direct institutional sales and instead engaged an intermediary, further raising suspicions over an additional \u20b912 lakh charged for “fabrication and fittings”\u2014features already included in the manufacturer\u2019s standard delivery.<\/p>\n

“Why was an intermediary involved when Force Motors offers direct bulk purchases? Why was an extra \u20b912 lakh per ambulance paid for fittings that were already part of the deal? This reeks of corruption,”<\/em>\u00a0Ashraf asserted.<\/p>\n

Dead Body Freezers: Another \u20b91.08 Crore Scam?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The scandal deepens with the procurement of 242 dead body freezers at \u20b982,600 per unit\u2014more than double the market price of \u20b934,000\u2013\u20b938,000. Ashraf alleges that the supplier, Xten, has no prior experience in medical equipment and primarily deals in construction and pipe manufacturing.<\/p>\n

“How can a firm with no medical equipment background secure such a lucrative deal? This is daylight robbery of Waqf funds meant for public welfare,”<\/em>\u00a0Ashraf fumed. The overpayment of \u20b944,600 per freezer amounts to an estimated \u20b91.08 crore loss\u2014raising serious questions about due diligence and possible kickbacks.<\/p>\n

Anwar Basha\u2019s Cowardice: Hiding Behind Political Patronage?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ashraf revealed that he publicly challenged then-Chairman K. Anwar Basha to a face-to-face meeting at a mosque, backed by media scrutiny and documentary evidence. However, Basha allegedly refused to appear, choosing instead to\u00a0“hide behind his political master and cry foul from the safety of closed doors.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“If Anwar Basha is innocent, why is he afraid to answer questions? Why does he seek refuge under his minister\u2019s shadow instead of facing public accountability?”<\/em>\u00a0Ashraf demanded.<\/p>\n

Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan\u2019s Deafening Silence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Adding fuel to the fire, Ashraf slammed Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan<\/span> for his\u00a0“hypocritical silence<\/span>“<\/em>\u00a0on the scandal. Despite publicly protesting against the controversial Waqf Act,<\/span> Khan has remained conspicuously mute on these grave allegations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n