Pune: Rs 1200 Crore Waqf Land in Baner Converted to Private Property; Massive Scam Alleged
Baner, 21st July 2025: A fresh controversy has erupted over the 18-acre Waqf land in Baner, Pune, valued at over ₹1200 crores, following an explosive decision by Maharashtra Waqf Board’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juned Sayyed. In a letter dated May 27, 2025, the CEO removed all restrictions on the land, including its status as Inam and Class-3 Waqf land, effectively converting it to freehold land — a move that activists and legal experts are calling illegal, unconstitutional, and part of India’s largest religious land scam. The state government machinery moved at a lightning speed and made the changes in land records on 2nd July 2025.
Historic Dargah and Mosque Now Classified as Private Property
The land in question, Survey Nos. 99/1/1 and 99/1/2, houses the revered Hazrat Udan Shah Wali Dargah and a mosque near B. U. Bhandari Mercedes-Benz showroom along the Pune-Bangalore Highway. Historical records of the Dargah go back to 1830, with British-era documents marking it as Inam Class-3 land. Despite its clear religious and community use, CEO Juned Sayyed’s directive now reclassifies this land as Class-1 private holding, allegedly bypassing pending court decisions and violating the Waqf Act, 1995, and Supreme Court rulings.
2006 Sale Cancelled—Now Suddenly Revived
In 2006, the Waqf Board had controversially permitted the sale of the land to Pancea Hill Co-Operative Society for ₹9.5 crores, with ₹7 crores to be paid to the Board by 2009. Since this payment was never made, the Board canceled the transaction. However, in a shocking turn, CEO Sayyed has now revived the same deal — at the same outdated price — almost two decades later, sparking outrage and allegations of collusion.
Legal Violations and CEO’s Eligibility Under Scrutiny
Legal experts argue that the May 27 order is legally untenable. Advocate Sufiyan Shaikh, a Waqf lawyer, has called for an investigation by central agencies including the CBI and ED. Further, Sayyed’s own appointment is under legal challenge, as per Writ Petition No. 5272/2024, due to not meeting the eligibility criteria under Section 23 of the Waqf Act — which requires a Deputy Secretary rank officer.
Activists Slam Board: “Frontmen for Corrupt Builders”
Waqf activists and watchdogs have sharply condemned the decision. Saleem Mulla, President of the Maharashtra Waqf Liberation and Protection Taskforce, termed the action as a crime against the community. Mulla claimed that a nexus of political operatives, corrupt bureaucrats, real estate mafias, and pliant lawyers has hijacked the Waqf system.
“This is not just land grabbing — it’s land laundering on an industrial scale,” said Mulla.
“They’re converting religious endowments into private assets using forged papers and digital approvals.”
Political Uproar: Jitendra Awhad Demands Action
Former State Minister Dr. Jitendra Awhad (NCP-SP MLA from Mumbra) posted a fiery response on X (formerly Twitter), exposing the scam and calling for nationwide scrutiny:
“18 acres 14 gunthas touching the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Worth ₹1200 crores. In 2006, permission was given to sell at ₹9.5 crores — canceled after non-payment. Now, in 2025, it’s declared valid again. This is looting.”
His post received over 55,000 views, reigniting public outrage and placing the spotlight on Pune’s Waqf land scam — one of the biggest in Indian history.
18 एकर 14 गुंठे पुणे मुंबई एक्सप्रेस हायवे टच.
बाजार भाव कमीत कमी 1200 कोटी.
जागेवर हजरत उडणशाह वली यांचा दर्गाह तसेच मस्जिद.
दर्गाह चे रेकॉर्ड 1860 पासून उपलब्ध.
जमीन 2006 मध्ये 9.5 कोटीला विकायची परवानगी वक्फ मंडळाने दिली त्यांतले 7 कोटी वक्फ मंडळाला सन 2009 पर्यंत द्यायचे… pic.twitter.com/iYEC8s9UXa— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) July 19, 2025
Modus Operandi of a Land Mafia Network
The Baner case has become symbolic of a deeper crisis within the Waqf system. Mulla alleged the existence of a pan-India land mafia exploiting loopholes, forged documents, and delayed Khalsa (reclaim) proceedings to manipulate records and illegally sell high-value Waqf properties.
He warned that if the Baner land sale goes unchallenged, it could set a precedent that will lead to graveyards, dargahs, orphanages, and madrassas being sold off under the guise of legality.
Demand for Supreme Court, CBI, ED Intervention
Activists have submitted a dossier of evidence to central agencies, including the Supreme Court, CBI, and Enforcement Directorate (ED). They are preparing for a full-fledged legal battle to overturn the CEO’s decision and expose what they call a decades-old underground ecosystem of corruption in the Waqf administration.
Religious Land Heist?
With ₹1200 crore worth of land suddenly “legalized” for sale, without court clearance and in apparent violation of multiple laws, the Baner land case may be the tip of the iceberg. Observers say it’s a litmus test — if this sale goes through, no religious land will be safe in India, regardless of faith.
