Wakf Board issues notice to Mukesh Ambani

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Wakf Board on Thursday issued notice to Mukesh Ambani's Antilia Commercial Private Limited, asking it to explain within seven days why the plot where he is building his mansion should not be restored to the Board as it was acquired "in contravention of Wakf rules".

The move came two days after the state government termed as "illegal" the deal by the firm to acquire the 4,532 sq m plot where Ambani is building a 27-storey skyscraper and directed the Wakf Board to "take back possession" of the property.

Wakf Board chief executive officer A R Shaikh said: "We have issued notices to Antilia and four other parties, against whom the state government had asked us to initiate proceedings under section 52 of the Wakf Act for restoration of the land to us."

The notice asks Antilia to explain within a week why the plot on Altamount Road in south Mumbai should not be restored to the Board as it was acquired in contravention of section 51 of the Wakf Act, Shaikh said.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who returned here today after a 10-day visit to the US, told reporters that he is yet to study the latest government order seeking restoration of five properties to the Wakf Board.

Asked if his government would initiate a CID probe into irregularities in the Wakf Board as recommended by an inquiry committee, Deshmukh said, "We will order a CID probe if needed."

Deshmukh dismissed reports that his younger brother Dilip, a former minister, had acquired Wakf properties in Aurangabad.

"He is not connected with this. He did not acquire any Wakf properties. Even the Supreme Court has given a ruling on the matter," he said.

Asked about the recent order about the five properties, Deshmukh said, "As far as I know, the Wakf Board had given a no-objection certificate (for the land deals)."