HYDERABAD: An alleged attempt to encroach parts of a 232-acre Waqf land belonging to Kohe Moula Ali shrine has come to light. In a representation made to the Waqf Board, a petitioner has alleged that a few businessmen are selling the Waqf land by manipulating its survey number.The petitioner, Syed Ali Jaffry of BJP Minority Morcha, said, “There is a land encroachment on Survey No 422, 423, 424 - all Waqf lands belonging to Kohe Moula Ali. People are selling land by manipulating survey numbers. The plot in question is just beside the Moula Ali shrine.”
Explaining the alleged irregularity, Jaffry said, “The previous Waqf Board CEO had blocked the registration of those survey numbers under Section 22 A of the Registration Act. So, these encroachers are manipulating the survey numbers and applying for registry.”According to the law, one cannot sell a Waqf land without the prior consent of the board and even if such a sale has been made, it would be termed void. Based on complaint, a Waqf team comprising inspector auditor Hayum Khan and his assistant Mohd Faizuddin inspected the encroached land.
Jaffry, in his petition, also urged the CEO to depute a team to the sub-registrar’s office, MRO and to cancel all previous registration under Sec 22 A of Registration Act 1908 and also file a case against the alleged encroachers under Sec 52 A of the Waqf Act. “Most of the land has already been encroached,” Jaffry told Express. “Only the mountain (which houses the shrine) and a few acres are left which the encroachers are trying to sell.”
Speaking to Express, Waqf Board CEO Shahnawaz Qasim said, “We have deputed an inspector to look into the matter and he will submit his report soon. We will take appropriate action thereafter.”
Jaffry also questioned the role of the Mutawali of the Waqf land. “Zaheer Ahmed Khan, is silent about this. Is it not his duty to protect and safeguard Waqf properties?”he said and appealed to the authorities to initiate a CB-CID inquiry into the alleged fraud.