Lucknow: A shocking case has emerged from Uttar Pradesh where Shamsul Hussain, a madarsa teacher from Azamgarh, who has been residing in the United Kingdom since 2007, continued to receive salary and other government benefits. The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) investigation has now implicated three District Minority Welfare Officers (DMOs) — Lalman, Prabhat Kumar, and Sahitya Nikat Singh — who were posted in Azamgarh at different times. Currently, they hold DMO positions in Bareilly, Amethi, and Ghaziabad respectively. The Minorities Welfare Directorate has sent a detailed report to the state government, indicating stringent action may follow.
DMOs and Madarsa Management Held Responsible
The ATS investigation revealed that Shamsul was appointed as an assistant teacher at Madarsa Darul Uloom Ahle, Sunnat Madarsa Ashrafia Mubarakpur (Azamgarh) on 12 July 1984. Despite relocating to the UK in 2007 and acquiring British citizenship on 19 December 2013, he continued receiving salary increments and other payments in India. The investigation holds the madarsa management, principal, and the three former DMOs responsible for authorising these payments in violation of regulations.
The Minorities Welfare Department reportedly approved yearly salary increments for Shamsul between 2007 and 2017 without verifying his service records. Additionally, on 1 August 2017, voluntary retirement was granted, and pension payments were sanctioned despite his non-residence.
International Travel and Religious Activities
According to ATS, Shamsul, after acquiring British citizenship, traveled to multiple countries and engaged in Islamic religious propagation. In Uttar Pradesh, the irregular salary, medical leave, and other payments granted to him have raised serious concerns. Officials involved, including the DMOs and madarsa authorities, are likely to face strict disciplinary action.
Directorate Officials Also Under Scrutiny
The officials of the Minorities Welfare Directorate who signed off on Shamsul’s voluntary retirement and General Provident Fund (GPF) payments are also under investigation. It remains unclear whether action will be taken against them, and their names have not yet been disclosed.
