A major controversy has emerged over government land allotted to the government-aided Makulal Inter College located in Telibagh, Lucknow. A probe report by the Deputy Registrar, Firms, Societies and Chits, has raised serious allegations against the college management, claiming that a new private institution with a similar name was created to strengthen control over the land allotted to the inter college. The investigation has highlighted several questions regarding the formation of the new institution, lease agreements, financial transactions and large-scale cash withdrawals from accounts linked to employees and other individuals.
According to the investigation report, a new institution named “Makulal Mahavidyalaya” was registered on October 29, 2018, on the same land allotted to Makulal Inter College. The report alleges that members of the original management committee were not informed about the formation of the new institution, while the manager’s son, daughter-in-law, relatives and some outsiders were included as members. The probe has also raised questions over whether complete information was provided to the Deputy Registrar’s office during registration and whether the required approval from the education department was obtained.
The investigation has also raised concerns over lease agreements related to the 12,525 square metre land. According to the report, the land was allotted on a 30-year lease. Objections have been raised regarding signatures on lease agreements dated September 12, 2018, and December 2, 2020. Investigators noted that signatures of Shrikant Sahu appeared at both the lessor and lessee positions in one agreement, while his son Satyam Sahu signed as the lessee in another agreement. Officials are examining whether these documents were used to establish unauthorised control over the property.
The probe has also focused on financial transactions between the aided inter college and the private degree college. The report alleges that significant amounts were transferred from the inter college’s bank account to accounts linked with the degree college. During February 2020, multiple transactions involving ₹20 lakh, ₹30 lakh, ₹50 lakh and ₹20 lakh were reportedly carried out. Investigators are now examining the purpose of these transfers and the utilisation of the funds.
The inquiry report has further mentioned large cash withdrawals from the accounts of employees and other individuals. According to the findings, withdrawals were made through several accounts, including ₹3.56 lakh from Akhilesh Singh’s account, ₹27.67 lakh from Ajit Kumar Sahu’s account, ₹17.71 lakh from Sonpal’s account, ₹6.17 lakh from Umesh Babu Bajpai’s account, ₹24 lakh from Vinay Kumar’s account, ₹9.32 lakh from Narayan Kumar’s account, ₹6.77 lakh from Rajesh Yadav’s account and ₹10.71 lakh from Sushil Kumar’s account. The report stated that adequate records explaining the use of these amounts were not found during the investigation.
Questions have also been raised over the functioning of the agriculture stream at the institution. The college has 150 sanctioned seats for agriculture courses, but the investigation report questioned the absence of the required agricultural farm facility. Officials have sought clarification on how agricultural education was being conducted without the mandatory infrastructure and on what basis marksheets were issued to students.
The Deputy Registrar has issued a notice to the manager for a final hearing on July 22 in connection with the matter. The Lucknow Bench of the High Court has also taken cognisance of a public interest litigation filed by Telibagh Social and Public Welfare Committee and sought a response from the management committee.
Makulal Inter College manager Shrikant Sahu has denied the allegations, stating that under Lucknow University rules, formation of a new society was necessary for establishing a degree college. He claimed that the formation of the new institution was carried out with the consent of committee members. The final status of the allegations related to land control and financial irregularities will become clear after completion of the legal and administrative proceedings.
