By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
[Part 3 of Special Series on waqf properties in Maharashtra]
Mumbai: In June 1798, Nawab Ayaz Ali Khan might not have donated a garden of 1549 Sq.Mt. for a burial ground if he knew that it will not be used for the purpose and later trustees will sell a part of it because they are unable to bear the maintenance charges.
There are many waqf properties in Maharashtra, and in the entire country, which have been sold by Muslim trustees themselves for personal gains. Take some cases from Maharashtra in brief:
Hebat Jung Masjid, Patna [TCN Photo: Mudassir Rizwan]
Nearly 1100 Sq.Mt. waqf land, registered under Bombay Public Trust Act as B-96 and in Maharashtra Wakf Act, 1995, MSBW/MUM/-87/-08 was sold to a builder for redevelopment for Rs.11 lacs and 2 flats of 560 Sq.Ft.
The story in Kausa, Mumbra of Thane district is very interesting. About 52 acres of wakf land was leased to a Non-Muslim farmer and he used to farm there for the last 50 years. He used to donate one third of his earning to the mosque but when he fell ill and thought he will die he returned the land to the trust.
Locals alleged that Trustees have sold the property worth Rs 280 crore for a meager amount through which they are earning only Rs.18000 per month.
Whereas Chief Trustee Abdul Gani denied that the trust had so much property. He said, “We have leased this property to one Azaad Ghare, and he had sub leased it to others for which we have no information.”
Locals complained it to the Wakf Board, met with the Wakf Minister, Mr. Arif Nasim Khan and then with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Ashok Chavan with all the proof but in vain.
The Wakf Board CEO, Mr. S.S. Ali Qadri first issued NOC and after the complaint then reissued notice to stop the work on the wakf land but locals alleged that the signature on both the documents is different.
Besides, the 221 Sq. Yard land having C.S.NO. 791 of Moosa Haji Hasham Charitable Trust PTR No. B-352 (Mumbai) is situated at Khetwadi, Girgaum. It has Ground plus one floor structure having 8 shops and 9 rooms which are all rented. This was sold for Rs. 83 lacs to Shri Jethmal Jain.
Sayaadi Abdul Kadir Hakimuddin Saheb Fateha Trust PTR No. B-1092 (M) sold its property bearing C.S.NO. 1252 which is of 126 Sq.Yard. The Trust sold it for Rs.15 lacs to Sterling Enterprises. The property is recorded in Schedule 1. It is a Ground plus 3 story building and in a dilapidated condition.
According to the Wakf Act 1995 all the B’ Series wakf properties automatically comes under the Wakf whether registered with the wakf board or not.
Asia’s largest tower is coming up on the wakf land at Churni Road, South Mumbai. Sources have also told that Haji Zakariya Haji Ahmed Patel Trust has sold its wakf property in Malad, a western suburb of Mumbai. A wakf property in Sewri, an eastern suburb, has also been sold.