Waqf Land Scam: Activists Demand Crackdown on Alleged Rs1 Lakh Crore Mismanagement in Pune
Pune, 25th June 2025: The Pune office of the Maharashtra Waqf Board, custodian of nearly 26,783 acres of religious and charitable land valued at over ₹1 lakh crore, is facing serious allegations of corruption, encroachment, and gross mismanagement. Civil society activists and watchdog groups have called for an immediate dissolution of the existing board, demanding a central agency-led probe and urgent administrative overhaul.
More than 250 complaints are currently pending against the Waqf office in Pune, relating to illegal land sales, fraudulent trustee entries, encroachments, title disputes, and non-utilisation of government funds. Despite many of these properties being located in high-value areas such as Deccan, Baner, Aundh, Lavale, Pimple Nilakh, and Kondhwa, activists allege that the Waqf Board has failed to take concrete steps to protect or reclaim the land.
Activists Call for High-Level Intervention
The Maharashtra Waqf Liberation and Protection Task Force, a Pune-based organisation, has submitted a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding the immediate appointment of an IAS officer as the Waqf Board’s administrator. They claim that the board has become ineffective due to a mix of political interference, chronic understaffing, lack of field audits, and poor digital record-keeping.
“Board officials are collecting funds from Waqf trusts but failing to reinvest in community welfare,” said Saleem Mulla, President of the Task Force. “Audits are not submitted to the legislature, grants remain unused, and thousands of crores worth of land assets lie either under encroachment or completely neglected.”
‘Betrayal of Constitutional Responsibility’
Akramul Jabbar Khan, former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and the task force convenor, emphasised the systemic failures: “The digitization of Waqf assets remains incomplete. There is zero coordination with local municipal and revenue departments. This is a betrayal not just of constitutional responsibility but of religious obligation as well.”
Demand for CBI, ED, IT Probe
Given the scale of alleged financial irregularities, the task force has demanded a multi-agency investigation involving the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, and Ministry of Home Affairs. They believe this probe should cover suspected benami deals, fund misappropriation, and illegal land transactions linked to the Pune Waqf syndicate.
“A transparent, corruption-free Waqf system can unlock real estate worth billions in Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Aurangabad — boosting GDP and supporting minority welfare, education, and health projects,” the letter to the CM stated.
Activists Demand Anti-Corruption Action
Alleging the existence of a “Waqf mafia” involving corrupt board officials and land dealers, activists have called for surprise raids, arrests, and judicial custody of those involved. They insist the accused be produced before special anti-corruption courts under stringent bail conditions to prevent tampering with evidence or fleeing justice.
“The mafia must be dismantled immediately. If ignored, the financial and cultural loss to the community will be irreversible,” Mulla warned.
The activists have also proposed that confiscated or reclaimed Waqf properties be fast-tracked for public benefit — including educational and healthcare facilities — ensuring their intended purpose is fulfilled.
As the controversy unfolds, pressure is mounting on the state government to intervene and prevent further damage to one of the largest religious landholding bodies in the state.
The Maharashtra Waqf Board is yet to officially respond to the allegations.
