Hyderabad: BRS senior leader Shaik Abdullah Sohail on Thursday demanded a judicial enquiry into the Jamia Nizamia auction. He also sought an immediate halt to the transfer, registration or further alienation of the Raidurg land until authorities independently verify its Waqf status.
According to Sohail, the government should preserve all Waqf and revenue records linked to the property. He also sought publication of correspondence between Jamia Nizamia, the Telangana Waqf Board, the Revenue Department, TGIIC and the Minorities Welfare Department. Additionally, he demanded a white paper on all Waqf properties in Survey No. 83 at Raidurg.
The BRS leader alleged that the Congress Government ignored historical records before auctioning the land in Survey No. 83/1 in Hyderabad’s Knowledge City. He claimed Jamia Nizamia and Waqf Board records identified the property as Waqf land. Those records include Waqfnama entries, Kitab-ul-Auqaf, Muntakhab records and earlier Waqf Board notifications.
Sohail further claimed the property was uploaded and verified on the Central Government’s UMEED portal. It also received a unique identification number. Despite that, he alleged, the government auctioned the land through TGIIC.
BRS questions government over Jamia Nizamia auction
Meanwhile, Sohail questioned why the Waqf Board did not intervene before the auction. He asked why the Board failed to file objections or approach the court despite the reported Waqf claim.
Describing the Jamia Nizamia auction as a serious issue, he said the reported sale fetched nearly Rs. 1,490 crore. He added that the reported price worked out to about Rs. 237 crore per acre. According to him, the government focused on monetising valuable land instead of protecting religious and charitable endowments.
He argued that Jamia Nizamia deserved a fair hearing because it is one of India’s oldest Islamic seminaries. However, the government ignored its representations and community concerns, he alleged.
Sohail also questioned why the government reportedly resolved the State Bank of India dispute by offering alternate land. In contrast, he said, Jamia Nizamia did not receive similar consideration.
Furthermore, he alleged that Waqf properties often face a pattern of neglect before authorities declare them disputed. Eventually, governments alienate such lands in the name of development or revenue generation, he claimed.
Therefore, Sohail urged the government to suspend all further action on the auctioned land. He said authorities should first verify whether the auctioned parcel overlaps with the UMEED-approved Waqf property.
Finally, the BRS leader asked whether the Telangana Waqf Board failed to act, remained silent or became complicit. He added that the party would continue supporting efforts to protect Waqf properties and ensure accountability.
