Minister firm on reclaiming Wakf properties across State

Properties belonging to the Wakf Board are being cornered by many influential people including former ministers, legislators and others and efforts will be made to reclaim them, said Minister of State for Wakfs and Minorities Welfare, Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan.

Talking to reporters after meeting officials concerned here on Wednesday, he said the Karnataka Wakf Board owns around 32,000 acres in the State. The survey work of the said property has began and already completed surveying of more than 20,000 acres. Notices are served to those influential people who have encroached the wakf property. Names of those encroachers would be disclosed only after replies come from them.

The Minister said a case of religious leader selling eight acres of land belonging to a dargah in Bijapur has come to light. It was not possible to make allegations against the religious leader without getting concrete evidence.

The board had already served notice to him. Likewise, an influential person from Gulbarga has given the wakf land to the Hindus to construct a hotel. “I will disclose the names of those persons only after getting documents and till then, I will keep quiet.

Many friends advised me not to talk about the wakf property following strong repurcussions. But I will not keep quiet; I will protect properties belonging to the wakf board at any cost”.

Dr Khan said the board owns several acres of land in Bangalore. If they are made use of the board did not approach the State government for the funds. The case regarding the Windsor Manor Hotel in Bangalore is almost over and the judgement is expected to be delivered within a week.

He refused to comment on ongoing political imbroglio in the State and said he is a honest party worker and he will abide by any decision taken by the party high command.