In a major development that has ignited political outrage, new revelations suggest that the Jamia Masjid and Muslim Charitable Fund Trust in Bengaluru allegedly misused a Rs 3 crore government grant originally sanctioned for the welfare and education of minority students.
Despite confirmations from state authorities and multiple notices issued, the Congress-led Karnataka government has reportedly failed to take concrete steps to recover the diverted funds, prompting serious questions about transparency, governance lapses, and administrative accountability.
Sanctioned in 2016 during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure, the Rs 3 crore grant was intended to support the construction of schools, colleges, and hostels for minority communities.
However, the funds were allegedly diverted for unrelated purposes, in violation of clear government instructions. Efforts by the Directorate of Minority Welfare to reclaim the money have remained ineffective, leaving the grant unaccounted for.
The issue resurfaced after the Directorate issued notices, one in August 2024 and a second in October 2024, both approved by Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan.
The notices demanded an explanation and recovery of the funds, but more than a year later, the government has taken no substantial action.
Critics argue this silence amounts to an institutional failure to address a serious breach of public trust.
A Serious Breach of Protocol and Oversight Failure
Under the grant terms, the trust was required to submit a utilisation certificate, but no such document was provided. Waqf Board officer Akram Pasha, tasked with monitoring compliance, allegedly failed to enforce mandatory government procedures, constituting a direct violation of Government Finance Rules.
Documents show that on September 12, 2025, the Principal Secretary to the Minority Welfare Department instructed the Director to immediately recover the funds, a directive approved by Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Yet, despite these explicit instructions, the recovery process remains stalled.
Accusations of Deliberate Inaction
The prolonged lack of action has fueled allegations of intentional delay. Multiple complainants claim that the Directorate of Minority Welfare may be withholding action despite clear orders from higher authorities.
A complainant emphasised the government’s failure, stating, “There have been two notices issued to the trust, and yet there has been no action. It’s been over a year since these notices were sent, and the government has done nothing. This is a massive administrative failure.”
The consequences extend beyond financial mismanagement—minority students who were supposed to receive scholarships and improved educational infrastructure have been denied the benefits the grant was meant to provide.
Government’s Silence and Praise for Accused Trust Members Sparks Outrage
Intensifying the controversy, reports reveal that Siddaramaiah and Zameer Ahmed Khan personally felicitated the board members of the Jamia Masjid Trust, despite allegations of their involvement in the misuse of public funds.
This gesture has heightened accusations of political patronage, with critics claiming the Congress government is “endorsing” those allegedly responsible for financial irregularities instead of holding them accountable.
Opponents argue that this act not only undermines public faith in governance but also signals complicity in a scandal involving funds meant for marginalised students.
