Dedicated Cell to Resolve Encroachment on Waqf Properties in Karnataka

Belagavi: The Karnataka government plans to establish a dedicated cell to address the issue of encroachment on Waqf properties across the state.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, responding on behalf of the Minister of Housing, Waqf, and Minority Welfare in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, conveyed the government's serious commitment to resolving the issue of clearing Waqf properties. The minister was answering a question posed by MLC SK Abdul Jabar in the Council.

The Minister stated that, to date, 3,720 cases have been registered and heard under Section 54 of the Waqf Act to address unauthorized encroachments. The government has identified 1,669 instances of unauthorized encroachment on Waqf properties in the state over the last four years.

He further explained that 1,458 applications have been submitted to the Karnataka Waqf Tribunal for eviction orders. Subsequently, a total of 319 acres, 9.5 guntas, and 128,453.9 sq ft of Waqf properties have been successfully cleared from encroachers and reclaimed by the relevant Waqf Body.