The Delhi High Court on Monday remarked that it is inclined to stay Ajmer Sharif Dargah's audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). .Justice Sachin Datta noted that the Dargah management committee has not been served with the terms of the audit. “I am inclined to stay the audit… His [Dargah counsel] point is very clear. He says he has the right to make a representation, but that occasion has not arisen because you [CAG] have not served the terms of the audit... You better hold your hands,” the Court remarked. .However, the Court listed the case for further consideration on May 7, after the CAG counsel sought time to obtain instructions in the matter. The Court made the observation while hearing a plea filed by the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer challenging the CAG audit. It was argued by the counsel appearing for the Dargah that as per news reports, President Droupadi Murmu has approved the audit and a team of two officials have been designated for the task. The counsel contended that as per Section 20 of The Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers And Conditions Of Service), Act, 1971 the terms of audit have to be served on the Dargah which it can oppose through a representation. However, the process has not been followed, the counsel stressed. .According to news reports, the CAG will audit the two Anjumans (associations) of Khadims, hereditary custodians of the Dargah tasked with managing its day-to-day affairs and will cover the last five financial years. The report added that the the audit has been initiated after allegations surfaced suggesting misuse of funds received from foreign donations and money given by pilgrims during ziyarat (pilgrimage to sites associated with revered figures in Islam).
