The Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board manages a total of 5,345 properties across the state, with the majority being land and buildings. However, 20 per cent of them are disputed, with the majority being related to land ownership and usage.
Sources said all districts in Himachal Pradesh, barring Kinnaur, have Waqf properties. The majority of these properties include graveyards, with the Waqf Board holding possession of the land surrounding these burial sites.
Several of these land-related matters are currently pending in courts.
Maximum properties located in Shimla
Shimla, Sirmaur and Kangra districts have the highest concentration of Waqf Board properties. Many of these properties are located in key areas across the state, including Shimla’s urban region.
The Waqf Board holds rights over approximately 70 bighas of land in Shimla, covering areas like Sanjauli, Chhota Shimla, Lakkar Bazaar, Bemloi, Tara Hall, Boileauganj and Lower Bazaar.
The largest single property holding is located in Tutikandi ward’s Panjri area, covering a vast 46 bighas of land. Additionally, there are substantial holdings in Lakkar Bazaar (7.41 bighas) and Tara Hall (6.13 bighas).
In all, Waqf Board properties span across seven circles in Shimla’s urban region, with around 11 localities involved.
These properties also extend to around 10 bighas of land in Chhota Shimla, Boileauganj and Lower Bazaar, while approximately 17.98 biswas are registered in Sanjauli.
Himachal Waqf Board among largest landowners in state
While the Waqf Board controls much of the land, other Waqf entities such as the Sunni Waqf Board and Punjab Waqf Board also hold properties in Himachal Pradesh.
Many of these properties have seen the construction of houses, mosques and shops by the occupants, further complicating ownership and legal matters.
Despite the vast number of assets, the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board has not been formally constituted for nearly two years, lacking both a chairman and members.
The Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board is considered one of the largest landowners in the state, ranking just behind the Forest and Revenue Departments in terms of property holdings.
Sunil Chadha
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