Bengaluru: In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the Jamia Masjid and Muslim Charitable Fund Trust in Krishnarajendra Market, Bengaluru, has misused a Rs 3 crore government grant, originally sanctioned for the welfare of minority students. Despite confirmation from the state government and multiple notices being issued, the Congress-led Karnataka government has failed to take any substantial action to recover the misused funds, leaving the matter unresolved and raising serious concerns about the government’s lack of accountability.
The Rs 3 crore grant was sanctioned in 2016, under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as part of a scheme to build educational infrastructure for minority students, including schools, colleges, and hostels. However, the funds were not used for the intended purpose. Instead, they were diverted for other uses, violating the government’s clear directive. Despite repeated attempts by the Directorate of Minority Welfare to recover the funds, no concrete action has been taken, and the grant remains unaccounted for.
The issue came to light after the Directorate of Minority Welfare issued a series of notices in an attempt to recover the misused funds. The first notice was sent to the trust in August 2024, followed by a second notice in October 2024, both of which were approved by Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. These notices demanded an explanation for the misuse of the Rs 3 crore grant and urged the trust to return the funds. However, despite more than a year having passed since these notices were issued, the Karnataka government has not taken any meaningful steps to recover the money.
What is even more concerning is that the Congress government has been silent on the issue and has failed to initiate an investigation into the misuse of public funds. Critics argue that the government’s inaction, despite clear violations of procedure and the misuse of funds meant for the education of minority students, highlights a deep-rooted problem of administrative inefficiency and lack of accountability.
Grave Violation of Government Protocols
The grant, which was meant to fund the construction of schools, colleges, and student hostels, was released in installments. According to the terms of the grant, the Jamia Masjid Trust was supposed to submit a utilization certificate for the funds received. However, no such certificate was submitted, and the Waqf Board officer Akram Pasha, who was supposed to oversee this, failed to ensure compliance with government procedures. This failure to submit the utilization certificate is a clear violation of the Government Finance Rules, raising further questions about the lack of oversight and accountability within the Congress government.
According to documents from the government, the Principal Secretary to the Government of Minority Welfare had written to the Director of the Directorate of Minority Welfare on September 12, 2025, instructing them to take immediate steps to recover the misused funds. The Minister of Minority Welfare, Zameer Ahmed Khan, had also approved this directive, but despite these clear instructions, no action has been taken to recover the money.
Allegations of Deliberate Inaction
The government’s failure to act in this matter has raised suspicions about deliberate inaction. Sources suggest that the Directorate of Minority Welfare has been withholding action on the recovery of the Rs 3 crore, despite receiving clear instructions from higher authorities. This has prompted several complainants to accuse the Congress government of turning a blind eye to corruption and financial irregularities within the trust.
“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,” said a complainant, who has raised concerns about the lack of accountability from the Congress-led administration.
Moreover, it is concerning that the misuse of the Rs 3 crore grant has not only affected the financial health of the minority welfare fund but has also deprived marginalized students of the educational opportunities that the grant was meant to support. Minority students who were promised scholarships and access to better educational infrastructure have been left in the lurch, as funds that were meant for their benefit have been misused.
Government’s Silence and Congratulating the Accused
Adding to the controversy, it has been revealed that Siddaramaiah and Zameer Ahmed Khan personally felicitated the board members of the Jamia Masjid Trust at an event, despite their involvement in the misuse of public funds. This act has further fueled allegations of political patronage and complicity in financial irregularities. Critics are accusing the Congress government of not only failing to act against the trust but also endorsing the actions of those responsible for misusing taxpayer money.
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