waqf property management

An advocate fighting waqf property encroachment cases was fatally run over by an SUV in Hyderabad. His son alleges two city educationists are behind the murder, citing previous threats and attacks. Police have formed special teams to investigate the incident.

Madhya Pradesh High Court has reserved its decision on the religious character of the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district. Hindus claim it's a temple to Goddess Vagdevi, while Muslims assert it's the Kamal Maula mosque. Security has been heightened as the court prepares to deliver its verdict after extensive hearings.

Decision Taken In State Cabinet Meeting

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Waqf Act, stating its aims are to benefit poor Muslims and prevent property misuse, highlighting India's vast Waqf properties. He cited past Congress-era committee reports advocating for efficient and transparent Waqf management. However, opposition leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi criticize the Act, while the Supreme Court has temporarily paused key provisions pending further review.

The central government plans to table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Parliament, amidst opposition resistance. The bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address legal complexities, and ensure transparency and accountability in Waqf management while incorporating key reforms.

The government has tasked IIT-Delhi with a sample survey of waqf properties due to severely lacking survey data, despite ongoing digitisation efforts. The assessment report, expected in two months, will help create a standardised survey template for states to improve data collection and management.

Telangana Waqf Board will train 15,000 muthawalis. This training will help them upload details of waqf properties on the UMEED portal. The portal aims to streamline waqf management. It will bring transparency and accountability. The muthawalis will upload details of 33,000 properties. These properties include 77,000 acres of land. The UMEED platform will help prevent illegal leasing.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with a 15-11 majority, amid opposition members' concerns over government interference and the inclusion of non-Muslims on waqf boards. The bill, including backward Muslims and women as beneficiaries and allowing appeals to High Courts within 90 days, aims to bring transparency and accountability to waqf property management.

The Parliament of India approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after intense debates, highlighting its aim to reform waqf property management and address corruption. The Bill passed with majority support, despite opposition accusations of it being unconstitutional and biased against the Muslim minority. The Bill now awaits the President's assent to become law.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defends the upcoming 'UMEED' Central Portal for waqf properties, asserting its legality and alignment with the Constitution. He dismisses concerns raised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, emphasizing the portal's role in enhancing waqf management through accountability and transparency.

The upcoming Central Waqf Portal, slated for launch in early June, will replace the existing WAMSI system with a more secure, three-tier verification process for waqf property data. Unregistered 'waqf by user' properties will be excluded initially. The new system, under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to enhance transparency and accuracy in managing over 8.

The Aam Aadmi Party issued a whip to its Rajya Sabha members for the Waqf Amendment Bill discussion. Both NDA and opposition have directed their members to vote accordingly on the bill introduced by Minister Kiren Rijiju, which claims to improve waqf property management despite strong opposition resistance.

The government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in Lok Sabha, proposing changes to limit Waqf Boards' powers in declaring properties as Waqf. Major amendments include appointing a full-time CEO, including Muslim women and non-Muslims in the boards, and repealing Section 40 to shift property determination powers to the district magistrate, aiming for greater transparency and accountability.

A A Shahapur, the presiding officer of the waqf tribunal here recently directed seven lessees of a waqf property and a sub-lessee to vacate and hand over the grave yard land, a prime waqf property in upmarket Kranti Chowk area in the city, back to the waqf board within three months.

The government has introduced Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development Rules 2025, mandating the upload of waqf property details onto the Central Waqf Portal within six months. Mutawallis must provide comprehensive information, with penalties for delays. State governments are required to publish and upload lists of 'auqaf' within 90 days.