Telangana Waqf Board faces criticism over handling of property cases

The Telangana State Waqf Board has faced criticism over its handling of nearly 5,500 property-related legal disputes. Community representatives have raised concerns about legal expertise, Board meetings and potential conflicts of interest, calling for stronger case monitoring and accountability.

HYDERABAD: Telangana State Waqf Board’s handling of litigation involving Waqf properties has come under criticism from community representatives, who have raised concerns over an alleged shortage of legal expertise and the absence of regular Board meetings to formulate an effective strategy to protect Waqf lands.

Syed Ali Jaffery, a High Court advocate and community leader, expressed concern over allegations that advocates representing the Waqf Board were also handling cases on behalf of parties involved in Waqf land disputes through their juniors and associates. He said the issue warranted scrutiny to ensure that potential conflicts of interest did not compromise the Board’s interests.

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Ifteqar Hussaini, a Waqf activist, said the shortage of legal experts in the Board was affecting its ability to defend Waqf properties effectively in courts. He said inadequate legal preparation and a lack of specialised expertise were weakening the Board’s position in important cases involving disputed properties.

BRS Minority Cell leader Abdul Muqeed Chanda said the Board was not holding regular meetings, leaving important issues concerning litigation and property protection without adequate deliberation. He said regular meetings were necessary to review pending cases, identify legal shortcomings and formulate a comprehensive strategy to defend Waqf properties.

As per the latest available consolidated report, Telangana State Waqf Board is involved in nearly 5,500 legal disputes concerning Waqf properties. Of these, 3,715 cases are pending before the Telangana High Court, 1,549 before the Waqf Tribunal and 230 before other civil and revenue courts. Hyderabad accounts for 1,626 disputes, followed by Rangareddy with 1,315 and Medak with 299.

The scale of litigation highlights the need for systematic case monitoring, specialised legal representation and timely follow-up to safeguard Waqf assets, community leaders point out.

The concerns come amid continuing disputes over Waqf lands, alleged encroachments and questionable documentation used in property transactions. The Board has also faced criticism over the functioning of its legal and administrative departments and on coordination between officials and standing counsel.

Community representatives have called for a systematic review of pending cases, better distribution of work among advocates and stronger monitoring of court proceedings. They have also stressed the need for transparent procedures to address potential conflicts of interest, establish accountability for lapses in legal representation and ensure that the Board’s interests are adequately defended.