The Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that 58,929 waqf properties across India are under encroachment, including 869 in Karnataka. This data was shared in a written response to BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai’s query.
Rijiju stated that the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and the Ministry of Minority Affairs regularly receive complaints about issues concerning waqf properties. “These complaints are forwarded to the respective state waqf boards and governments for appropriate action,” he said.
The minister explained that under Sections 54 and 55 of the Waqf Act, the chief executive officers of state waqf boards are empowered to initiate legal proceedings against unauthorized occupations of waqf properties. Additionally, Section 51(1-A) of the Act invalidates any unauthorized sale, gift, exchange, mortgage, or transfer of waqf properties, declaring them void.
The Waqf Properties Lease Rules, 2014, framed by the central government under Section 56 of the Act, empower state waqf boards to lease waqf properties.
The data on encroachments has been sourced from the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI), a digital platform for managing waqf properties. Rijiju emphasized that legal and administrative measures are in place to address unauthorized activities.
