Hyderabad: Wakf activists are up in arms against the Hyderabad Road Deve-lopment Corporation Limited for taking up road works on a large chunk of land belonging to the Toli Masjid.
Osman Al Hajri, president of Deccan Wakf Properties Protection Society, said that the HRDCL officials are continuing the works despite objection from the TS Wakf Board. “About 16,000 square yards of land endowed to the Toli Masjid in Karwan is being taken over for road widening. In 2013, attempts were foiled by approaching the state Wakf Tribunal,” said Mr Hajri.
However, earlier this week, the HRDCL started the road works inviting objections from the Wakf Boad and activists fighting for protection of Wakf properties. Mr Hajri said that the authorities should pay Rs 48 crore to the TS Wakf Board for acquiring the land.
On Friday, the team met the officials of the TS Wakf Board and apprised them of the ground situation. Wakf Board chairman Mohammed Saleem wrote a letter to the authorities asking them to stop the works for the time being.
“We have asked them to stop as there is a decree against taking up any works. It is not that the board is against developmental activities but Wakf properties cannot be taken over without following procedures laid down for acquiring land,” the chairman said.
He said that a team visited the spot and also spoke to the officials of the HRDCL. It is learnt that the HRDCL authorities have temporarily stopped the works.
