On april 3, 2025, the lok sabha made history by passing the Waqf (Amendment Bill) by a vote of 288–232. The bill's goal was to restructure the administration of Waqf holdings throughout India.
Soon later, the rajya sabha also approved the bill. The Waqf Bill is actually a long-overdue corrective to curb widespread corruption made possible under the current Waqf Act 1995, despite the so-called "secular" opposition parties' continued criticism of it as a "attack" on Muslim rights and their religious freedom in addition to constitutional values.
Waqf authorities in several indian states have engaged in several bold irregularities and acts of corruption, from sweeping land grabs and covert encroachments to creating fictitious land deeds, all encouraged by the unbridled powers granted to Waqf Boards by the congressgovernment in the Waqf Act 1995.
India Herald has presented its readers with a list of incidents that reveal a vile tale of corruption committed under the Waqf's name. This compilation provides a thorough exploration of the murky depths of the Waqf scandals that helped pressure the Modi administration to change the legislation and deprive Waqf Boards of their discriminatory and unnecessary authority.
The former CEO of the karnataka Waqf Board embezzled ₹4 crore.
Zulfiqarulla, the former CEO of the Waqf Board, was the subject of a formal complaint filed in July 2024 by the High Grounds police in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Sections 403 (criminal misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), and 420 (cheating) were used to register the case. Chief Accounts Officer Mir ahmed Abbas had filed a complaint alleging that Zulfiqarullah had embezzled Waqf funds two years prior.
According to the lawsuit, the government paid ₹2.29 crore and another ₹1.79 crore from the Muzrai department to take over the Kalaburagi dargah's property, which belonged to the State Waqf Board. In november 2016, the entire sum of ₹4 crore was moved to the Waqf Board's bank account. Zulfigarulla, the accused former CEO of the Waqf Board, allegedly made 54 transactions between october 2021 and february 2024 to move the funds to other accounts. In this case, the names of the president of the tourism development committee and the deputy commissioner for Bagalkot also surfaced.
Riyaz Khan, a congressleader and former head of the madhya pradesh Waqf Board, exploited Waqf properties for his own benefit.
Congress leader Riyaz Khan received a notice from the madhya pradesh Waqf Board in July 2024 requesting the return of Rs 7 crore. Following the complaint, the Kharakuan police station also filed a formal complaint against Riyaz. The ujjain Waqf Board's leader for around 26 years, Riyaz Khan, was accused of extorting money from store owners on the Waqf Board's property.
Khan started out selling tea. However, he accumulated an enormous fortune, including three bungalows, while serving as the president of the Waqf Board in Ujjain. Riyaz Khan fled into hiding after being accused of corruption, and the police put a ₹5,000 reward on him.
The Waqf Board noted that congressleader Riyaz Khan embezzled ₹7 crore 11 lakh between 2006–07 and 2022–23. The notice was sent to Khan for the recovery of the embezzled monies. On august 2, 2023, the Waqf Board established an inquiry committee to look into Riyaz's tenure. According to the research, five office spaces, two school buildings, and 115 stores were built on Waqf property near Madar Gate.
Khan intimidated shops to collect rent for many years, but he never reported this to the board or provided an accounting for the money he received. The congressleader made unapproved earnings by using Waqf property as his own property.
Sunni Central Waqf Board in UP's saharanpur earned undeclared income worth ₹7.5 crore from 183 Bigha land
A case of income tax fraud totaling crores from 183 bigha of Waqf land in Chilkana, saharanpurdistrict, Uttar Pradesh, was brought to light in june 2024. After a local citizen named Hakim ali filed a complaint, Commissioner Hrishikesh bhaskar Yashod instructed the DM to start an investigation. In firozabad village, the Sunni Central Waqf Board owns over 183 bighas of land under Waqf numbers 322, 121.
Every year, a traditional fair of dargah sharif is organized on this land, and there is also a brick kiln on the said land. The complaint letter said that this land generates an annual income of about ₹ 50 lakhs. In 15 years, an accounting income of about ₹ 7.5 crores was earned.
Former Mutawalli sold Waqf land worth ₹20 crores fraudulently in UP's Kanpur
In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a former Mutawalli named Shadab Khan unlawfully sold the Waqf Board's 5000 square meter plot of property for ₹20 crores in the Dalelpurva neighborhood under the Anwarganj police station precinct. From 2001 till 2024, Khan oversaw Waqf property in this region. In june 2024, Pawan Kumar, the district Minority Welfare Officer, filed a formal complaint (FIR) at the Anwarganj police station against ten individuals, including the former Mutawalli. The SIT was given charge of this case's investigation. A few documents were brought into the team's possession. The issue initially surfaced following the appointment of Mohammad Wasim as the new Mutawalli.
It was discovered during the examination that 1254 square meters of Arzi number 1053, 1054 land had been bought in his name. Four accords from 1974 were based on this. A total of 2210.828 sqm of land was sold, including two rights for 236.138 sqm of land and 69 sqm of property from 89/208 Baby's Compound, Dalelpurwa. Mutawalli Shadab Khan had written and submitted to the Waqf Board a proposal to swap the Dalelpurwa waqf property for one in Indiranagar.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel