Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid put up a spirited defense against the allegations that the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, headed by him and his wife Louise Khurshid, siphoned off funds meant for the welfare of physically challenged people.
The India Against Corruption, however, said it will continue its protests in front of the residences of the Prime Minister and the Congress President demanding Khurshid’s resignation.
At a press conference held here on Sunday, Khurshid said the allegation that no camps were held for disabled by his trust was a lie. The Minister said camps were held in Etah, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Farrukhabad and various other districts in Uttar Pradesh and aids like tricycle and hearing aids were distributed.
On the draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, he said the auditor could not find anybody at the official address, where his family members are staying.
However, he said the CAG has told the trust that it was a draft report and the trust’s views will be considered before finalising the report provided the documents are made available. He added documents will be provided to the CAG later.
“All allegations levelled against me are false,” he said.
Khurshid said he had no option but to file a defamation case against Aaj Tak channel. “I respected the media. But this has come as a big question mark,” he added. He said people who are associated with the trust want to take the case outside India, including England. “I will file a suit in London too,” the Minister said.
When asked about the forged signatures in an affidavit submitted by the Trust to the Uttar Pradesh Government, Khurshid said the trust is investigating who have forged the signatures.
He said his wife has approached Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav requesting him to hold a probe on the allegations. He added that he is open to an independent probe provided the India Today group, which conducted the sting operation, is also probed. He claimed he has done a “reverse sting operation” to prove the allegations wrong.
Kejriwal demands resignation
India Against Corruption’s leader Arvind Kejriwal said the Minister should resign immediately. Addressing a protest rally, he said as no disabled person benefited from the Minister’s trust, he must resign from the Cabinet and quit politics.
He also produced a report by the Uttar Pradesh Government and said that the trust even forged the signature of a senior State Government official.