Probe into Khurshid Trust widens

The economic offences wing (EOW) of the Uttar Pradesh police has expedited probe into the allegations of irregularities against Zakir Hussain Trust, controlled by Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and his wife, according to a senior official here on Sunday.

“The probe is currently on in 17 districts, four teams have been put on the case, we are trying to submit our report to the state government as early as possible,” a senior EOW official said.

The official refused to elaborate whether the allegations have been found to be true, at least prima facie.

“Nothing can be said in this regard, whether any irregularity had been committed could be known only after the probe is complete,” the official added.

The probe, according to the officials, was centred around three main points, that include whether the money was misused and whether the district officials were bribed and the reports were falsified. The probe had been going on since July 3, the officials said.

Centre to take charge

Meanwhile, senior Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said that the state government would hand over the report of the EOW to the Centre once it was received.
“The state government will forward the report to the ministry of the Central government,” he said here on Sunday.

The Trust had, according to sources, received Rs 70 lakh under the ADIP scheme in 2009-2010.

The funds were for artificial limbs and appliances for disabled people.

Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal had been agitating for resignation of the Union Minister following the charges. Both the minister and his wife have denied the allegations.