LUCKNOW, Nov. 24 -- Four minority welfare officials, including a joint director, in the state have come under scrutiny for allegedly granting benefits to UK-based cleric Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan, who's under investigation for his alleged links with radical elements in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, confirmed senior Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials.

The cleric, who's originally from Sant Kabir Nagar, was granted salary, leave, and voluntary retirement benefits despite his taking British citizenship years ago, they added.

An ATS official said that these four officials were earlier posted in Azamgarh, where they allegedly facilitated financial and service-related benefits to the cleric. He said these officials were later transferred ...