The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Withdrawal of cases against Wakf Commissioner sought

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Thursday, Nov 29, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Withdrawal of cases against Wakf Commissioner sought

House panel passes unanimous resolution in this regard

Members cite provisions in the Wakf Act that prevent prosecution of officials
Move opposed to alienate 1,200 acres of Wakf property for development of IT Park

HYDERABAD: The House Committee on Wakf properties has taken serious exception to filing of a criminal case against the Survey Commissioner, Wakf, on a complaint lodged by the Ranga Reddy District Collector recently.

The committee, which met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Md. Ahmedullah, passed a unanimous resolution demanding that the Government withdraw the case. Members cited provisions in the Wakf Act that prevented prosecution of officials.

Raising the issue, MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi reportedly pointed out that a criminal case was filed by the Ranga Reddy Collector against the Survey Commissioner on the charges of forging documents pertaining to 1,600 acres under Manikonda Jagir where IT giants like Infosys, Microsoft and Wipro had constructed their facilities.

Mr. Owaisi wondered why the Ranga Reddy Collector had not sent the documents for forensic tests, if he suspected that they were forged. He cited the lenience shown by the Government in allowing the village secretary in Kodumur to go scot-free while jailing two journalists on charges of forgery.

Land allotment

The committee members also referred to the allotment of over 2,131 acres of Wakf land belonging to Baba Sharfuddin Pahadi for the Gems and Jewellery Park and Fab City in Maheshwaram mandal when the Supreme Court had clearly said it was Wakf land.

When officials maintained that it was Government land and compensation of Rs. 4 lakhs was also paid to the Nizam’s Estate, members insisted on production of relevant documents. They said 85 acres earmarked for a Muslim graveyard had also been given away.

Opposed

The panel members opposed the move to alienate 1,200 acres of Wakf property in Aloor village in Chevella mandal for development of IT Park. They insisted that the land be developed jointly by the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation and the Wakf Board and the income shared the 80:20 ratio.

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