Official blames former Minority Affairs Minister Ahmadullah for putting pressure on him to do so

Hyderabad:  Encroachment of wakf property continues unabated. According to a recent case that has come to light, 895 sq yards of prime land, situated on MJ Market cross-roads has been encroached by a private developers who has already begun construction on the land. The official who transferred the property in 2013 to an individual’s name, blames erstwhile Minority Affairs Minister Ahmadullah for pressurising him to do so.

The plot named Tabela Safar Khan is Waqf Alal Aulad, which means only the members of the wakf’s family should be supported out of the income and revenue earned from  the Wakf property. The property, till recently housed a famous hotel and perfume shops, until some part of it was acquired by HMR, under Metro Rail Master Plan.

Mutawalli G M Khan was the caretaker in 2013 and the property’s General Power of Attorney was given to S A Rayees (son of S A Raheem, a developer) in October 2013. Later they made a sale deed in September 2013 and on January 22, 2015 the notary was also finalised.  Recently Waqf Board erected a board declaring it to be Waqf land. The Special Officer, Waqf also issued a show-cause notice to the Mutavalli, but construction works continued.

Under the Waqf Act, properties could be leased out with the Chairman’s permission for only one year and the extension of period could be only be sought by higher authority. Moreover, a tender process must be called for leasing the land. No property can be given by a power of attorney. Shaik Saleem Basha, Deputy Secretary, Waqf Board who conducted the inquiry in 2013 acknowledged transfer of power of attorney as Development-Agreeement-cum-General Power of Attorney.

When questioned on this issue, he held that the transfer and registration was made by him after the then Minority Minister Ahmadullah and CEO, M A Ghaffar pressured him to clear the papers along with other higher officials. “Registration was made in 2013, as I acted under pressure. I do not know, if notary was also made,” said Saleem Basha.