Did Louise Khurshid Misuse Rs 71.50 Lakh of Government Funds?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Lucknow, Dec 23 (NationPress) In a new twist for former Union Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, his wife Louise Khurshid faces serious allegations. The ED has submitted a charge sheet accusing her of improperly utilizing Rs 71.50 lakh in government funds that were allocated to her social organization in Uttar Pradesh for the distribution of artificial limbs, as stated by an official on Tuesday.
The Special Court (PMLA) in Lucknow has acknowledged the charge sheet previously submitted by the ED against the Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, Louise Khurshid, and Mohammad Athar, according to official sources.
Previously, the federal investigative agency provisionally attached 15 immovable assets worth Rs 29.51 lakh, consisting of agricultural land in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, alongside Rs 16.41 lakh in four bank accounts associated with the Trust.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) from the Lucknow Zonal Office filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) on August 11, 2025, requesting the confiscation of properties valued at Rs 45.92 lakh and the conviction of those involved.
The investigation claims that Louise Khurshid, the Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, and Mohammad Athar participated in the illicit activity of money laundering, misappropriating government funds intended for distributing artificial limbs and equipment for personal benefits.
The ED's inquiry stemmed from 17 FIRs filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Economic Offences Wing against Pratyush Shukla, a representative of the Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, and others.
Charges have been brought against Athar Farooqui, also known as Mohammed Athar, who was the Trust's Secretary at the time, and the then Project Director, Louise Khurshid.
The ED's findings indicated that the grant-in-aid of Rs 71.50 lakh received by the Trust was not utilized for the intended purpose of organizing camps, as sanctioned by the Central Government.
Instead, it is alleged that the funds were misappropriated by Pratyush Shukla, Mohammad Athar, and Louise Khurshid for their personal benefit and the interests of the Trust.