Uttarakhand waqf board to probe ‘encroached, misused properties’

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand waqf board on Thursday decided to conduct a detailed investigation into waqf-owned properties across the state. The probe will focus on alleged encroachments on waqf land and cases where tenants pay minimal rent for waqf properties but sublet them at exorbitant rates. The decision was taken in an online meeting attended by eight of the nine board members.
Board members said there are around 5,000 waqf properties in the state, many of which have been encroached upon. "There are instances where people are paying as little as Rs 25 for waqf properties and profiting by sub-renting them at high rates. We need to check and end such corrupt practices," waqf board chairman Shadab Shams told TOI.
Shams pointed out two major such properties in Dehradun, where illegal structures would be cleared to build flats for the needy. "One site has nearly 400 illegal houses, while another has several unauthorized structures spread over 100 bighas of land," he said.
To expedite action, the board plans to set up a temporary tribunal to address these irregularities. "We are confident that in the coming months, we will successfully reclaim several waqf properties that have been encroached upon or misused," Shams added.