NH 44 Project: HC Orders Status Quo on Waqf Properties
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohammed Abid and Mohammed Hafiz Ur Rahman Sharief, challenging the proposed occupation and acquisition of the Waqf lands.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed maintenance of status quo on certain notified Waqf properties in Secunderabad and Bowenpally that are proposed to be affected by the NH 44 elevated corridor project.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohammed Abid and Mohammed Hafiz Ur Rahman Sharief, challenging the proposed occupation and acquisition of the Waqf lands.
The petitioners contended that the authorities failed to consider their objections submitted to the district collector, Hyderabad, despite the properties being notified Waqf lands. The disputed properties include Dargah Syed Saheb, two mosques in Secunderabad (notified under Serial No. 963, measuring about four acres), and a Muslim graveyard at Bowenpally (notified under Serial No. 2653, measuring about eight acres).
Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Aashir Mehtab Khan submitted that the lands comprise religious institutions and burial grounds protected under law, and that any disturbance would result in irreversible damage. He argued that the failure of the authorities to decide the objections was arbitrary, and further submitted that alternative land is available nearby for execution of the highway project. The Union of India, the state government, the Cantonment Board, the Telangana State Waqf Board, and other concerned authorities were arrayed as respondents.
Taking note of the submissions, the Court directed the respondents to file their counters and ordered status quo on the subject properties till February 18, 2026. The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 11, 2026.
