India News : Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has alleged large-scale irregularities and scams involving Waqf properties under the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Shia Waqf Board in Uttar Pradesh.
Razvi claimed that a proper investigation into the Waqf Boards could uncover a scam even bigger than the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. Addressing a press conference, he said that irregularities involving Waqf properties worth crores and billions of rupees had allegedly taken place in Bareilly alone.
He demanded a comprehensive government investigation, alleging that Waqf properties had been used by certain individuals for personal benefit.
‘Business Worth Crores Being Conducted Through Waqf Properties’
The Maulana said he had written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding an investigation into the entire matter.
He said Waqf properties were donated to support poor Muslims, women, children, the needy and the destitute, and the income generated from these properties was supposed to be spent on their welfare. However, he alleged that this was not happening.
According to him, poor Muslims are still forced to beg, while some people are allegedly running businesses worth crores of rupees using Waqf properties.
Razvi further alleged that the illegal sale and purchase of Waqf properties increased significantly during the governments of the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that whenever the Samajwadi Party was in power, those responsible for both the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Shia Waqf Board allegedly dealt in Waqf properties under government patronage.
‘Arbitrary Decisions Were Taken Within the Board’
The cleric said Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav served three terms as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister—from 1989 to 1991, 1993 to 1995 and 2003 to 2007. His son Akhilesh Yadav later served as Chief Minister from 2012 to 2017.
Razvi claimed that during these four Samajwadi Party governments, Azam Khan held the portfolios of Minority Welfare, Waqf and Haj for much of the period.
He alleged that people favoured by Azam Khan were appointed as chairmen and members of the Waqf Board. According to Razvi, Zufar Ahmad Farooqui served as chairman of the Sunni Waqf Board from 2000 to 2001, Amir Alam from 2001 to 2003, Hafiz Usman from 2004 to 2009, and Zufar Ahmad Farooqui again from 2010 to 2026.
He alleged that arbitrary decisions were taken and several irregularities occurred during these tenures.
‘Those Who Held Positions in Waqf Boards Distributed Properties’
Razvi alleged that people holding key positions in both the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards sold Waqf properties. He claimed that individuals who became members or office-bearers of the boards distributed Waqf properties in their respective areas.
He said earlier generations had dedicated vast tracts of land as Waqf so that the income generated from them could be used to support the poor, vulnerable, helpless and orphaned. However, he alleged that instead of fulfilling this objective, those responsible for managing the Waqf Boards engaged in exploitation and misappropriation.
Writes to CM Yogi, Demands Investigation
Razvi said the original purpose of Waqf properties was to establish schools, colleges, hospitals and madrasas, but alleged that a “Waqf mafia” prevented these objectives from being achieved. According to him, the benefits of Waqf properties went to a select few instead of the general public.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order an investigation into all properties sold by the Waqf Boards and take strict action against anyone found guilty.
He claimed that a thorough investigation could uncover a scam even bigger than the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. Razvi added that if income from Waqf properties were properly spent on poor Muslims, poverty among the community across the country could be significantly reduced.
