New Delhi:The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has initiated a probe into the allocation of Rs 100 crore to approximately 80 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh. These institutions reportedly received donations from various countries over the past two years. The SIT, led by ATS Additional Director General Mohit Aggarwal, aims to identify the primary madrassa where these funds were utilized and ascertain if any irregularities occurred.
Aggarwal stated, “Among the 24,000 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh, over 16,500 are officially recognized by the UP Madrassa Education Board. Our investigation will delve into the expenditure of foreign funds, determining whether they were allocated for the madrasa’s operation or other activities.”
Aggarwal said that no time limit has been given yet by the state government to complete the investigation. Sources related to the investigation said that SIT has already asked for the details of registered madrassas from its board. Yogi Adityanath government had last year directed district magistrates to survey unrecognized madrassas.
During the two-month survey, 8,449 madrassas were found that were not recognized by the State Madrassa Education Board.Apart from Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar and Bahraich bordering Nepal, more than 1,000 madrassas are running in many surrounding areas. Sources said that in the last few years the number of madrassas in these areas has increased rapidly.
Apart from this, information was also received about these madrassas getting foreign funding. After which SIT was formed. The investigation of the Minority Department has also revealed that many madrassas were receiving foreign funding.