Murshidabad, 13 December (H.S.): The foundation run by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir alleged on Saturday that a QR code created to collect donations for a proposed Babri Masjid-style mosque in West Bengal's Murshidabad district has been misused by unknown individuals.

Kabir's West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India claimed that fraud was committed using a fake QR code. The foundation said it has filed a complaint with the West Bengal Police's cybercrime unit.

Aminul Sheikh, the joint treasurer of the foundation, filed a complaint against three unknown individuals at the Baharampur Cyber Crime Police Station. The police have registered a case under sections 336(3), 338, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and have launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly copied the trust's details and created a fake QR code to divert the donations. Sheikh further alleged that funds were being fraudulently collected through this fake code.

Speaking to reporters, the Bharatpur MLA alleged that TMC MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, who represents the Rejinagar constituency, was behind the alleged fraud. Kabir said, My foundation has filed a complaint with the cybercrime unit. I have found out who did this. Rabiul Alam Chowdhury's supporters have done this. It would be good if the police take action, otherwise, I have the power to take action myself. I will take appropriate action. I will not spare the bank where the money went either.

Responding to the allegations, Chowdhury denied any involvement and questioned Kabir's claims. He said, Whether it's my people or someone else, we want him to prove who committed the fraud. Then we will also know. So far, he is making baseless allegations against me. It is noteworthy that approximately ₹3.50 crore has already been collected for the proposed mosque project promoted by Kabir. The manual counting of the cash donations, kept in 11 trunks, was completed on Wednesday night. In addition, online donations through QR code payments were deposited into the trust's designated bank account. This is the same QR code that the foundation alleges was misused.

The controversy surrounding Kabir began last week when he announced plans to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad district. On December 4, the TMC suspended Kabir for anti-party activities. Despite the suspension, Kabir proceeded with the mosque plan and laid the foundation stone on December 6.

Kabir has stated that construction of the mosque in Beldanga will begin in the first week of February. He also said that a recitation of the Quran by one lakh people would take place the day before construction begins.

Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, seeking directions to stop the construction of the mosque. The case is likely to be heard next week.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey