Over 2000 cases of waqf property encroachment in 1.5 years: Government

NEW DELHI: More than 2,000 cases of encroachment of waqf properties have been filed over the past one-and-half years and strict action is being taken against the accused, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today.

The minister of state for minority affairs said the government will not spare those who have occupied waqf properties illegally.

"More than 2,000 criminal cases have been filed over the past one-and-half years. We want to free these properties from the clutches of mafias no matter how strong they are," Naqvi told reporters here after the 76th meeting of the Central Waqf Council.

He said most of the encroachment cases are a result of a "criminal conspiracy" between the waqf board and mafia. Some of the complaints have been forwarded to the CBI, he added.

The minister said the government wanted to ensure the properties are used for the socio-economic-educational empowerment of minorities.

It is taking steps to digitise records of all the waqf boards and extending all support to state bodies in this connection, he said.

Naqvi also said a one-man 'board of adjudication' has been set up at the central level under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court judge to deal with complaints and disputes related to waqf properties.

Three-member tribunals are being formed in states. So far, about 21 states have set up these tribunals, he said.

There are about 5,12,556 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country.