A mafia nexus in Bareilly’s CBganj area in Uttar Pradesh, has been caught red-handed encroaching upon three bighas of government land officially registered as graveyard (kabristan) property. What makes this case explosive is not just the sheer scale of the fraud, but also the systematic misuse of Waqf provisions, forged documents, and judicial suppression—all designed to convert public land into personal fiefdom.
The case only came to light after SSP Anurag Arya intervened and ordered a high-level investigation, leading to the filing of a criminal FIR against 11 individuals, including key accused Sabje Ali and his family members, who falsely declared the land as Waqf property and tried to seize it by fabricating a trust.
This incident is now being referred to as the first landmark FIR filed in Bareilly after the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act, making it a test case for how the new law is enforced against fraudulent claims over public land.
The origin of the land scam lies in village Sarniya, under the CBganj police jurisdiction. According to Puttan Shah, the complainant and local resident, the land in question was clearly marked as graveyard land belonging to the government in official Khatauni records. However, using religious manipulation and mafia-like tactics, one Sabje Ali, with help from his associates, crafted an elaborate scheme to seize the land.
He first installed a self-styled ‘fakir’ named Syed Hamid Hasan on a small portion of the land, allegedly to perform exorcisms and spiritual rituals. Over time, this ‘spiritual façade’ became a lucrative income-generating operation. When the fakir passed away, Sabje Ali got his body buried right there, creating a pretext for the next phase: land acquisition through the dargah route.
Sabje then began constructing a mausoleum on the graveyard land, using the burial as a religious pretext. When Puttan Shah opposed the construction, he was beaten, threatened with death, and chased away by goons.
The audacity of the scam came to light when documents revealed that on November 24, 2020, Sabje Ali had registered a fraudulent trust deed in the name of “Fakir Syed Hamid Hasan Dargah Charitable Trust” at the office of Sub-Registrar Sadar II. In a blatant conflict of interest, he made himself and his own family members the trustees.
Worse, the illegally seized property was registered with the Sunni Central Waqf Board in Lucknow, giving it a misleading cloak of legitimacy. Despite being public graveyard land owned by the government, the mafia succeeded in transforming it into what looked like a protected Waqf property.
Shops were constructed on the land, revenue was being generated, and even basic inquiries were stonewalled. Whenever Puttan Shah demanded transparency, Sabje Ali provided incomplete or evasive replies, keeping official scrutiny at bay.
Puttan Shah took the matter to court. In February 2021, Sabje Ali filed a counter case against him in what appears to be a classic intimidation tactic. But in the course of legal proceedings, it became evident that Ali could not prove ownership or any lawful claim to the land. The court reportedly ruled his possession as illegal.
Shockingly, despite a court ruling, the local police refused to act for a prolonged period. Puttan Shah claims he repeatedly approached local authorities with court orders in hand, but the enforcement machinery remained silent, allegedly due to fear of communal backlash or political pressure.
It was only after Puttan Shah submitted a detailed complaint to Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya that the tide turned. SSP Arya ordered SP City Manush Pareek to conduct an impartial investigation. The findings were damning.
The inquiry confirmed that:
- The land was government property registered for graveyard use.
- The trust deed was based on forged documents.
- No lawful Waqf claim existed over the land.
- Physical force and threats were used to silence opposition.
- Shops and other structures were built to generate illegal profits.
On the orders of the SSP, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy, fraud, document forgery, illegal encroachment, assault, and criminal intimidation. The 11 accused include Sabje Ali and his close relatives, all of whom were named as trustees of the bogus charitable trust.
Sources confirm that as the case advances, it may be reclassified under specific sections of the newly amended Waqf Act, potentially leading to greater penalties, land recovery, and jail terms.
Speaking to media, SSP Anurag Arya made a strong statement: “We will not allow anyone to encroach upon government land using Waqf as a shield. Our investigation clearly showed that this was a criminal conspiracy under religious disguise. The law is equal for all, and we will ensure that the illegally occupied land is freed with the help of the revenue department.”
