Thousands of ‘enemy properties’, including key land in Lucknow, face scrutiny following ‘illegal sales’.
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — The issue of ‘enemy properties’ in Uttar Pradesh has resurfaced with renewed urgency, as the state government steps up its investigation into the illegal sale and occupation of these valuable assets. Uttar Pradesh is home to the largest number of enemy properties in India, accounting for 6,041 out of 12,611 nationwide. The properties, which span across prime locations such as Lucknow and Shamli, are reportedly under the control of private individuals, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Among the most concerning revelations is the sale of approximately 140 bighas of enemy property in Makkadmpur Kaithi village, located in the Sarojini Nagar area of Lucknow. These properties, which had been designated as enemy assets following the Partition in 1947, were sold without any government authorization, leading to an official inquiry. A team comprising Enemy Property Conservator Ramesh Nagare and Deputy Secretary Rajendra Kumar travelled to Lucknow to investigate the illegal transactions and uncover how the properties were transferred without proper oversight.
Yashpal Singh, Chief Supervisor of the Enemy Property Office, spoke to reporters, explaining the severity of the situation: “The lands in Makkadmpur Kaithi were declared enemy properties a long time ago. However, many of these lands were sold illegally, and several buildings, including private colleges, have already been constructed on them.”
These illegal sales are part of a larger issue concerning properties left behind by individuals who migrated to Pakistan after the 1947 Partition. In Lucknow alone, 115 such properties are currently under government control, with many still being rented out. Across Uttar Pradesh, districts such as Sitapur, Rampur, Bareilly, and Kanpur have seen similar cases of unauthorized transactions, with further investigations and potential auctions planned.
As part of their investigation, officials met with Sarojini Nagar SDM Falguni Singh and local Tehsil officials to discuss the matter. To prevent further encroachment on these properties, boundary marks will soon be placed on vacant lands, with properties that are not disputed set to be auctioned.
In addition to the Makkadmpur Kaithi case, another significant issue has emerged in Parasohiya Tiwari village. The land previously owned by Malik Shariful Rehman, who migrated to Pakistan after the Partition, was used for farming by locals but had not been officially declared enemy property until 2025. District Magistrate Dr. Raja Ganapati R has now sought the intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs after the issue was raised.
A similar case has surfaced in Gonda, where Gonda Nagar Palika Parishad President Uzma Rashid has been accused of illegally occupying enemy property. Rashid has denied the allegations, stating that she is merely a tenant, paying rent according to the rules. The case is still under investigation.
Vaibhav Awasthi, the custodian of enemy properties, confirmed that properties valued above Rs 1 crore will be auctioned online, while smaller properties will be made available for public purchase. A rapid survey of these assets is underway to speed up the process, with the government seeking to ensure that properties belonging to individuals who migrated to Pakistan after the Partition are properly managed.
“All enemy properties across Uttar Pradesh belong to individuals who left for Pakistan, and action is being taken to ensure that these properties are either auctioned or managed appropriately,” Awasthi stated.
The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is also exploring the possibility of setting up animal fodder centres on some of these properties. Correspondence has been initiated with the Government of India regarding this proposal.
The management of enemy properties is governed by the Enemy Property Act of 1968, which was amended in 2017. Under this law, properties left by individuals who migrated to enemy countries, such as Pakistan or China, following conflicts with these nations, are considered enemy properties. The government has the authority to auction or repurpose these assets to ensure their proper management.
In response to growing concerns about the transparency of the process, the central government has established a group of ministers, led by Home Minister Amit Shah, to oversee the disposal of enemy properties. The estimated value of these properties is pegged at Rs 1 lakh crore, with provisions for online auctions and sales.
