Moti masjid issue: Shia Waqf Board reserves verdict

The tussle between UP waqf minister Mohsin Raza and chairman of the Shia Waqf Board Waseem Rizvi refuses to die down.

The Waqf Board on Monday reserved its verdict in a case of alleged sale and purchase of a waqf property, Moti Masjid in Hussainabad, involving 70 accused including Raza.

“We had received complaints against the minister and some of his family members for illegal purchase of waqf property and making construction on it,” said chairman, waqf board, Waseem Rizvi.

“Hearing in the case was listed for June 22 and then again for July 10 to give the accused an opportunity to present their case. Since none of them has turned up despite the board’s summons, verdict in the matter is being reserved,” he said.

Meanwhile, Raza accused the waqf board chairman of misusing his authority to facilitate illegal transfer and sale of waqf properties resulting in a loss of crores of rupees to the board.

He said several criminal cases had been registered at different police stations in which Rizvi had been implicated.

“The Central Waqf Council has submitted an inquiry report to the state government indicting the waqf board management and seeking a CBI inquiry and dissolution of both Shia and Sunni waqf boards. The report levels serious charges against the management. We will get the land deals of the past 10 years probed and audited. The matter is being looked into and an appropriate decision will be taken soon,” Raza told Hindustan Times.

We had received complaints against the minister and some of his family members for illegal purchase of waqf property and making construction on it WASEEM RIZVI, chairman Waqf board