In a significant administrative step amidst the ongoing political and legal tussle surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act, the Uttar Pradesh government has reclaimed 58 acres of land in the Kaushambi district previously listed under the Waqf Board and officially registered it as government property.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | 98 hectares of land reportedly occupied by Waqf Board identified in Kaushambi
District Magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi says, "The area has been identified but the investigation will be done as per the orders of the authorities and after the directions by… pic.twitter.com/d3lyw35zsf
— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2025
Kaushambi District Magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi confirmed that a total of 98.95 hectares in the district had been recorded under Waqf ownership. Of this, 93 bighas (approximately 58 acres) were recently recovered from occupation and have now been formally entered into government records.
The action came after an investigation revealed that, before being registered under the Waqf Board, the land—much of which is occupied by residential structures—was originally recorded in the name of the Gram Samaj (village community).
Investigation teams have now been deployed across all three tehsils of Kaushambi district to carry out further scrutiny. Officials stated that more Waqf properties are likely to be reclaimed and recorded as government land following due verification. This administrative drive follows closely on the heels of the Centre’s passage of the Waqf Amendment Act, which introduces several key provisions aimed at streamlining the management of Waqf properties and granting enhanced powers to District Magistrates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 17 clarified that the Waqf (Amendment) Act was not a hastily prepared legislation but the outcome of over five years of in-depth consultations and deliberations.
While interacting with a delegation of Dawoodi Bohras at his residence, the Prime Minister stated, “The Waqf (Amendment) Act is designed to empower the underprivileged and protect the rights of women, especially those who have raised concerns about family properties being wrongfully converted into Waqf. Our aim is to support such individuals. Muslim widows, in particular, suffer significant injustice, and this law is a step towards ensuring justice for them.”
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