UP Govt to Seize ‘Illegally Declared’ Waqf Properties Following Passage of Amendment Bill
A Day after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to seize properties that were allegedly illegally declared as Waqf land across the state.
Lucknow – A Day after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to seize properties that were allegedly illegally declared as Waqf land across the state.
Table of Contents
Massive Discrepancy in Waqf Property Records
According to sources, the state government has directed all District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a verification campaign in their respective districts. The aim is to identify and recover properties wrongly recorded under Waqf.
As per records of the state revenue department, only 2,963 Waqf properties are legally recognized. However, over 1.30 lakh properties are currently categorized as Waqf, raising questions about their legitimacy.
Also Read: Congress MP Challenges Waqf Amendment Act in Supreme Court
Government Cites Violation of Waqf Criteria
An official revealed that many public and community properties, such as ‘gram samaj’ lands, ponds, and other assets, have been declared as Waqf—a move considered legally untenable since only donated land qualifies for Waqf status.
“The district magistrates will verify the legitimacy of such properties and submit reports. Action will then be initiated as per the amended Waqf Bill,” the official added.
High Concentration in Certain Districts
The districts with the highest concentration of Waqf properties include Barabanki, Sitapur, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad, and Rampur.
Opposition Raises Alarm
Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan strongly criticized the move, stating that the party had already predicted such an outcome following the amendment. “We knew that the new Waqf Bill was meant to enable the government to seize Waqf properties,” he said.
The development has added fuel to the ongoing political and legal controversy surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill, with concerns over minority rights and property seizures taking center stage.
