By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: In wake of the media reports that the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has rejected the Enemy Property Bill, the Raja of Mahmudabad, Mohammad Amir Khan has refused to approach any politician.
“It was projected that the amendment was done for my favour only. It is not the case, there are thousands of others in the country who are deprived of their rights over their ancestor’s property,” said Raja on Saturday.
Palace of Raja Mehmoodabad [Photo by uppercrustindia.com]
A week back the Home Ministry’s standing committee rejected the bill, saying that it was in favor of heirs of those who left the country for Pakistan, leaving behind properties worth thousands of crores. The committee asked the ministry to re-draft which could strengthen the claim of tenants over these properties.
The bill, which aimed to add few amendments to the Enemy Property Bill 1968, would have ensured Raja’s claim over the properties left by his father before leaving for Pakistan. But if the standing has it way then the Raja of Mahmudabad will loose claim over properties which are valued at over Rs 2500 crore.
Reacting to the standing committee’s views, Raja Mahmoodabad termed it as against the natural right of an Indian citizen.
Despite the developments going against him, he denied approaching any politician for lobbying. “I will not approach any politician for any favor. I have full faith in judiciary and parliament,” he said.
Over his next course of action, Raja stated that legal option is not yet ruled out and he is presently adopting a wait and watch tactic.
Assessed at over Rs 2500 crore, the properties claimed by Raja Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan of Mahmudabad, are spread over Lucknow, Sitapur, Barabanki and several other places. At Luckow, the famous Butler Palace which was earlier occupied by Indian Institute of Philosophical Research but handed over to Raja after apex court’s judgement is still under the posession of district administration following the ordinance. The ordinance was brought by the UPA government which sought to negate Raja’s claim but after huge hue and cry and lobbying from several members of parliament, cutting across partyline, it was left to expire.
The next most prime property is the Mehmoodabad Mansion in Hazratganj. Spread over an area of nearly 70000 square feet it houses several famous showrooms of Hazratganj. It has 12 occupants who are doing their business.
Another Lawrie Building in Hazratganj is also claimed by Raja Mahmoodabad. It has five occupants including showroom of Maharastra Textiles and a hotel covering an area of approximately 85000 square feet. An extended portion of shops in Janpath which is situated within the vicinity of Hazratganj has 12 shops who have also got construction done on the area which is enemy property as claimed by the Raja measuring around 6000 square feet.
There is also a Halwasiya court and Halwasiya Market which have been given on lease to a Halwasiya builder and cover over 80000 square feet of area with more than 75 outlets. Some other properties include Malika Zamania Imambara in Gola Ganj and Lal Kothi which has an area of over 50000 square feet but has more than a dozen residents. Zarib Manzil and Siddique Building in Maulviganj too has over 12 residents.
Besides this the major properties are in Sitapur where there is approximately 3200 acres of agriculture land as claimed by Raja Mahmoodabad. A palace in Mahmoodabad, the officials palatial bunglows of SP, DM and CMO in Sitapur beside SP bunglow in Lakhimpur and a hotel Metropol Hotel in Nainital.
There are nearly 4186 such properties earmarked as enemy property in the country with the maximum 1468 being in UP.
Time line
1957- Raja of Mehmoodabad goes to Pakistan. His wife Kaneez Abidi and Son
Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan remain in India
1962- Properties of the migrated people declared a vacant property
1965- The properties are declared enemy property after India-Pakistan war. The wre taken over by the office of custodian of enemy property with its office in Bombay (now Mumbai)
1973- Raja Mehmoodabad dies in London. Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan approaches the Indian government claiming rights on the property. (He claims to be the legal heir of properties which once belonged to his father)
1985- ‘Raja’ approaches the supreme court
2005- Supreme court orders divestment of enemy properties. Occupants asked
to leave the premises of enemy property
2005- The order is challenged by a section of occupants of enemy property in Lucknow. SC orders setting up of Wadhwa commission to look into the
matter
2009- The commission categorises the occupancy as pre 1965 and post 1965.
Post 1965 were asked to leave
July 2, 2010- Government promulgates an ordinance which does away with the court’s interference. In effect, the ordinance reverts the divestment, bringing relief to occupants of enemy property
August- Ministry of minority welfare steps in and seeks amendment in the ordinance
November- Parliamentary Standing Committee of Home Affairs headed by BJP MP
Venkaiyyah Naidu rejects amendments in Enemy Property Act 1968.