POLITICIANS-TRUSTEES NEXUS BEHIND SELLING OF WAKF LANDS

A Minority Affairs Ministry report has reportedly revealed that lands belonging to various Wakf boards in India are being misused and even sold at throwaway prices.

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August 16, 2022

A Minority Affairs Ministry report has reportedly revealed that lands belonging to various Wakf boards in India are being misused and even sold at throwaway prices. The report contains nationwide details of prevailing corruption in Wakf boards. It exposes a nexus involving politicians, community leaders and private developers. In Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district a 14 acre plot of land belonging to Wakf Board was allegedly sold to Nirman Bharati developers for just Rs 8 crore when the actual market rate for it Rs 60 crore. The land had been with the board since 1973. What highlights the possible nexus between the politicians and those in-charge of using the land for the betterment of the Muslims is the fact that Diliprao Deshmukh, a Congress MLC and brother of Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was one of the directors in Nirman Bharati, when the deal was signed. Those who are aware of this practice allege collusion between the trustees and the builder lobby. Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed has however promised to crack the whip on errant Wakf Board members who have been accused of selling land meant for the welfare of Muslims at throwaway prices.