Former caretakers accused of misusing crores meant for community welfare
LUCKNOW/AGRA — Serious allegations of corruption and misuse of waqf property have surfaced in Uttar Pradesh after Ali Zaidi, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board, accused former caretakers and officials of illegally benefiting from prime waqf land worth crores of rupees in Agra.
The controversy centres around the famous waqf shrine known as Mazar Shaheede Salis, where land meant for religious and charitable purposes was allegedly misused over several decades.
The allegations have created deep concern within sections of the Muslim community because waqf properties are traditionally considered religious trusts meant for mosques, graveyards, shrines, education and the welfare of poor Muslims.
According to the Shia Waqf Board, the land connected to the shrine was allegedly handed over multiple times through agreements involving different individuals and builders between 1989 and 2023.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Ali Zaidi presented documents and records which he claimed showed large-scale irregularities in the handling of the waqf property.
He alleged that former mutawalli Maulana Agha Roohi, who reportedly remained caretaker of the waqf for decades, was involved in repeated agreements related to the same land.
“The property of the waqf was repeatedly used for private agreements and financial benefit. This land belongs to the community and was meant for religious and welfare purposes,” Ali Zaidi said during the press conference.
According to him, the matter did not involve only one individual, but also reflected possible collusion by certain former officials and office-bearers linked to the waqf administration.
He alleged that the irregularities continued for years without meaningful intervention from authorities.
The Shia Waqf Board has now formally submitted a complaint to the Agra district administration demanding an impartial investigation into the alleged scam.
The case has once again highlighted long-standing concerns regarding management of waqf properties across India, where many Muslim organisations have repeatedly complained about encroachments, corruption, political interference and weak oversight.
During the press conference, another serious allegation was also raised concerning financial transactions linked to Nasir Bagh Mazar.
According to the board, the former mutawalli allegedly linked his personal Paytm number to the shrine’s account and used it for transactions and purchases over nearly one year.
Initial findings reportedly suggest transactions worth around Rs 10 lakh may have taken place through the account.
Board officials said a detailed financial investigation would now be conducted to examine the money trail and determine whether community funds were misused.
Ali Zaidi said waqf properties are meant to serve poor people, religious institutions and community welfare projects, not private business interests.
“Waqf properties belong to the poor, the needy and religious causes. They cannot be treated like personal property,” he said.
Members associated with the administration of Mazar Shaheede Salis were also present during the press conference and supported demands for a fair inquiry.
Some community leaders described the allegations as deeply painful because waqf institutions are built on public trust and religious responsibility.
“This is not only about land or money. It is about betrayal of trust given by ordinary Muslims who donate for religious and charitable purposes,” said one local religious worker associated with the shrine.
The allegations have also triggered political discussion in Uttar Pradesh, where waqf management has increasingly become a sensitive issue amid debates over minority institutions and government oversight.
Legal experts noted that waqf properties are protected under specific laws and cannot legally be sold or privately exploited without proper procedure.
Advocate Zafar Ali, who handles waqf-related legal matters, said, “If these allegations are proved, then it would represent serious misuse of property held in trust for the Muslim community.”
Social activists also argued that corruption inside religious institutions harms ordinary Muslims most because funds and land intended for education, welfare and support of poor families get diverted.
Lucknow-based social worker Shabana Rizvi said, “Whenever waqf corruption happens, the real victims are poor Muslims who lose educational, medical and welfare support that should have come from these properties.”
At the same time, community leaders urged that the issue should be investigated fairly and legally rather than turned into political propaganda against Muslim institutions in general.
Prof Aamir Hussain, a researcher on minority institutions, said, “If wrongdoing has happened, accountability is necessary. But isolated allegations should not be used to discredit the entire waqf system, which supports thousands of mosques, schools and welfare activities across India.”
The controversy has now placed pressure on the Uttar Pradesh administration to act quickly and transparently.
For many Muslims following the case, the bigger concern is whether waqf properties created for future generations will remain protected from corruption, political interference and private exploitation.
