Jamiat Chief Mahmood Madani grilled by STF over alleged illegal issuance of Halal cer
Jamiat Chief Mahmood Madani grilled by STF over alleged illegal issuance of Halal certificates
M.U.H
22/02/2024152
LUCKNOW: In a significant development, Mahmood Madani, the Chief of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust, faced intense interrogation by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh police at its Lucknow headquarters, lasting over six hours on Wednesday. This interrogation is part of the ongoing investigation into the illegal issuance of halal certificates.
Madani was summoned by the STF following allegations of his trust's involvement in providing fraudulent halal certificates. Last week, the STF had made four arrests related to the Halal Council of India, shedding light on the unlawful activities of the council. According to STF officials, the Halal Council of India lacks accreditation from any government body and is unauthorized to issue halal certificates.
During the interrogation, Madani, accompanied by three lawyers, faced probing questions regarding the trust's operations and financial transactions. While some questions were answered satisfactorily, Madani agreed to provide further details at a later date, as per a source familiar with the STF's proceedings.
A senior STF officer revealed that investigations uncovered instances of the Halal Council of India issuing certificates without proper verification or laboratory testing. The financial records of the council also raised suspicions regarding its income and expenditure.
The probe into the alleged forgery of halal certificates started in November 2023 when an FIR was filed against eight agencies, including Halal India Private Limited, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, and Halal Council of India, among others. These agencies were accused of exploiting religious sentiments for financial gain by providing fake halal certificates.
Furthermore, it has been reported that companies like Halal India Private Limited and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust have been certifying products, including vegan items like beauty oil, soaps, and toothpaste, with fake halal certificates. Such actions are perceived to stoke fear and anxiety within specific communities, as these products do not necessitate halal certification.
