Centre Orders CAG Audit Of Ajmer Sharif Dargah’s Finances Over Alleged Misuse Of Donations, Foreign Funds
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will now investigate the income, donations, and expenditure related to the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The Union government has issued orders authorising the audit, following the President Droupadi Murmu’s approval—a constitutional requirement for auditing private bodies.
The probe will cover the two Anjumans (associations) of Khadims—hereditary custodians of the dargah. According to sources, a team of two CAG officials has already been designated for the task. The CAG typically audits government or government-aided institutions, and any scrutiny of private entities necessitates the President’s assent.
During a recent hearing at the Delhi High Court, Additional Solicitor General of India informed the court that Presidential approval for the CAG audit had been secured. The court directed that the President’s assent and the Centre’s order be placed on record. Advocate Ashish Kumar Singh, appearing for the Anjumans, was also shown a copy of the order.
The two Anjumans are responsible for managing the day-to-day religious affairs at the shrine, including facilitating pilgrimages for devotees, who, in return, offer voluntary monetary gifts. These donations are distinct from those placed in the dargah’s donation boxes, which are handled by a separate government-managed committee. Hundreds of Khadims operate within the dargah premises and receive financial offerings from pilgrims during ziyarat (pilgrimage).
What Will CAG Investigate Regarding Ajmer Dargah-Related Expenses?
The CAG investigation will focus on several aspects, including how much of the received money is spent on dargah-related expenses; whether any welfare initiatives are being undertaken; if any financial assistance is provided to pilgrims; whether the Anjumans are registered and operating as per rules; and whether they are legally permitted to accept money from pilgrims.
The audit will cover financial transactions of the past five years.
As per sources, the Ministry of Minority Affairs had issued a notice under Section 20C to the Anjumans on 15 March last year, following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notice sought clarity on the Anjumans’ income and expenditures.
Allegations had surfaced suggesting misuse of funds received from foreign donations and money given by pilgrims during ziyarat. The Khadims’ Anjumans responded to the ministry’s notice and also challenged it in the Delhi High Court on 23 May last year.
In their petition, the Anjumans stated, “Pilgrims give offerings to Khadims voluntarily, out of their own happiness.” They argued that these funds are used to support their families and that they work at the dargah in a spirit of service.
The petition also contended that without the President’s approval, a CAG audit of a private body was not legally permissible. Furthermore, they stated that the notice lacked clarity on specific points requiring response.
The Delhi High Court had directed the Centre to file its reply, but the government reportedly failed to do so on several occasions. However, during a recent hearing, the Additional Solicitor General informed the court that the petition had become infructuous due to Presidential approval and the Centre’s subsequent order.
The court has instructed that a copy of the order be formally shared with the Anjumans’ counsel. The matter is expected to come up for hearing again next week. The Anjumans may now have to either amend their original petition or file a fresh one in response to the new developments.
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