Lokayukta probe into Minority Commn findings on encroachment

The Karnataka government today decided to seek a Lokayukta probe into the Minority Commission findings on encroachment of Wakf properties.

The government decided to rescind its May 21 decision to appoint a high-level committee to go into the Anwar Manppady led Committee report and opt for Lokayukta probe, a release from the Chief Minister's secretariat said here.

The government had constituted a panel in November 2011 following complaints and media reports on the role of politicians and Wakf Board officials in the illegal sale of land to individuals.

The panel had submitted a 7,000-page report to Gowda on Mar 27 alleging a scam of over Rs two lakh crore involving Wakf Board land. It reportedly said Wakf property had been misused since 1954 due to the "nexus" between Wakf officials and real estate mafia.

Panel chief and Karnataka Minorities Commission Chairman Anwar Manipaddy had recommended that the government set up a high-power committee to check corrupt activities in the Wakf Board and appoint a task force to retrieve Wakf properties sold illegally to "some powerful and influential people".