Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust

The Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust' is purportedly a non-governmental organisation whose object is to serve physically handicapped people. It is based in New Delhi, India and as of 2012 is chaired by Sayeeda Khurshid Alam, whose son is Salman Khurshid, the former Minister of External Affairs in the Government of India. Other members of Khurshid's family are also involved, including his wife, Louise Khurshid, the Project Director of the trust.[1][2] The registered address of the trust is that of Khurshid's home.[1]

The trust was founded on 30 October 1986 and commemorates the third President of India, Zakir Hussain, who is the maternal grandfather of Salman Khurshid.[1]

Embezzlement of Government Funds

In 2012, allegations were made that the trust had received improper funding from the government and had used family connections both in order to do so and to cover up the irregular practices that enabled it.[2] The allegations include that government money was allocated based on the content of documents issued by government officials which certified the trust's activities in various districts. Numerous officials have come forward with claims that their signatures were forged.[3] News agencies claim to have seen a draft of a report compiled by the Controller and Auditor General of India. They reported that it notes several irregularities.[4] The Khurshids deny the various claims made against them,[5] which have attracted attention from the India Against Corruption movement.[6][7]

Louise Khurshid has also filed a defamation case against the TV Today news broadcaster, which had publicised the allegations following an alleged sting operation.[5]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Sharma, Deepak (14 October 2012). "First letter from India Today group to Salman Khurshid on September 2, 2012". India Today online. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 Reddy, B. Muralidhara (14 October 2012). "Khurshid flaunts photos to show camps for disabled were held". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Mathur, Swathi. "34 district officials accuse Khurshids Trust of forgery". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Pandey, Alok (13 October 2012). "Draft CAG report points to irregularities, 'suspected fraud' in Salman Khurshid's trust". NDTV news. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Govt mulls action against Zakir Hussain Trust". Hindustan Times. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  6. ↑ PTI (15 October 2012). "Khurshid returns to Delhi, vows to fight back legally". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  7. ↑ IANS (13 October 2012). "Arvind Kejriwal announces indefinite agitation till Salman Khurshid is arrested". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
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