Child-trafficking case: CID grills BJP worker Kailash Vijayvargiya
Indore: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya for two hours in connection with alleged child trafficking case, in Indore.
However, Vijayvargiya had always denied the allegations and claimed that this was an attempt of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to malign the image of BJP in West Bengal.
In July 20, the CID of West Bengal had sent notices to BJP MP Roopa Ganguly and party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya in connection with the case.
Besides Ganguly, the notice, under Section 160 CrPC, had also been sent to Vinayak Mishra, Prashant Saree. The CID, which has sent a notice to Kailash Vijayvargiya and Roopa Ganguly under Section 160 CrPC, has also summoned them to appear before it on July 27 and 29.
As per the reports, one of the accused in the case had sought help from both the political leaders for the renewal of the license of a shelter home that was allegedly working for international child trafficking racket. The accused reportedly also offered expensive gifts to Vijayvargiya and Ganguly in return for the favours.
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Waqf board claims ownership of 53 historic monuments in Karnataka
Hubballi: The Karnataka Waqf Board has claimed ownership of 53 historical monuments across the state, including notable sites like Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and Bara Kaman in Vijayapura. In 2005, the Waqf Board declared 43 of these sites in Vijayapura, once the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty, as Waqf properties. However, these sites have since faced encroachments and unauthorised modifications.
According to records obtained through an RTI, the Waqf Board designated these 43 sites as Waqf properties using Record of Rights (ROR) documents, though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the recognised custodian of these protected sites. “While ASI is the holder of the land/monument, the encumbrance is the Waqf authority. This has been done without consulting ASI,” says the RTI response from the Union government.
This declaration was made by Mohammad Mohsin, who held dual roles as Vijayapura’s Deputy Commissioner and Waqf Board Chairman at the time.
“I don’t remember how many monuments were declared as Waqf properties. But whatever I have done is according to the government gazette notification issued by the Revenue Department and authentic documentary evidence produced by the parties,” said Mohsin.
Many of these monuments, designated as nationally significant heritage sites since 1914, are officially under ASI’s care as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958). ASI asserts that "once an ASI property, it is always an ASI property," meaning their ownership is non-transferable. However, sources report that several of these sites have been defaced, unscientifically renovated, or altered with elements like air conditioners, fluorescent lighting, and even commercial and residential structures, impacting their historical integrity and tourism appeal.
“Monuments are the living examples of our history. Monuments can be renovated/conserved in the prescribed manner only by ASI. However, the 43 monuments in Vijayapura are being defaced and are being repaired with plaster and cement. Fans, air conditioners, fluorescent lights and toilets are being added to the monuments. Shopkeepers have taken over certain properties. This is adversely impacting the flow of tourists to these monuments,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.
Since 2007, the Ministry of Culture has repeatedly requested the state authorities to clear encroachments on these sites. Despite a joint survey in 2012, ASI officials report that neither the Waqf Board nor the Vijayapura Deputy Commissioner’s office has provided adequate documentation to substantiate Waqf’s ownership claim. ASI officials, under directives to avoid commenting on the issue publicly, maintain that their ownership under the AMASR Act remains unchangeable.
