Over 4,000 cases of Waqf property encroachment filed across Karnataka: Minister Zameer Khan

The minister stated that out of the 4,000 cases of encroachment, 371 acres of encroached Waqf property have been reclaimed by the board.

The Waqf controversy in Karnataka centres around lands that farmers have cultivated for generations, which the Board claimed as its property in late 2024, leading to widespread concern and protests.

In October 2024, farmers in Honawad village of Vijayapura district reported receiving eviction notices stating that approximately 1,500 acres of their ancestral land had been declared Waqf property. This led to significant unrest among the local farming community. The government acknowledged the error, clarifying that only 11 acres belonged to the Waqf Board, and assured the withdrawal of the incorrect notices. In Vijayapura, 388 cases linked to Waqf encroachment were filed, out of which only two cases have led to successful eviction of ‘encroachers’.

Similarly, in Gadag district, 315 farmers who had been entangled in legal battles over Waqf land claims successfully reclaimed their lands. However, according to the minister’s data, only eight cases linked to Waqf encroachment have been filed, with no eviction taking place.

According to the data presented by Khan, 1,935 cases have been disposed of so far, which accounts for approximately 47 per cent of the total cases filed. However, the legal and administrative processes remain slow, as 2,173 cases are still pending with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or enquiry officer. Additionally, 76 cases remain stuck in various courts, further delaying resolution.

Areas with high encroachment

Among the worst-affected districts, Kalaburagi leads with 562 cases filed, followed by Bengaluru Urban (418 cases), Vijayapura (388), Bidar (309), and Bellary (274). Many of the properties are yet to be reclaimed by the Waqf Board.

In terms of disposals, however, Kalaburagi has shown relatively good progress, with 394 cases resolved out of 562. Tumakuru has the highest disposal efficiency, with 242 out of 284 cases resolved, an impressive 85 per cent clearance rate. However, the implementation in these cases remains a challenge.

Cases pending before Waqf Tribunal

The legal complexities involved in Waqf property disputes have resulted in a substantial backlog at the Karnataka Waqf Tribunal (KWT). Currently, 112 cases are pending before the tribunal, with districts like Vijayapura (224 cases), Tumakuru (221), and Bidar (91) witnessing the highest tribunal involvement.

While 1,935 cases have been legally resolved, the actual execution of these orders remains low at 179. Additionally, 1,485 cases have been referred to the Waqf officer for taking possession, but the process remains slow, particularly in districts like Bengaluru Urban, Bidar and Yadgir, where enforcement action has been minimal despite significant pending cases. Apart from delays at the tribunal, 72 cases are still pending with the assistant commissioner, while another 76 cases are entangled in court proceedings.

The reduction in Waqf land is majorly attributed to encroachments and subsequent legal disputes. In 2012, a report by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission alleged that around 27,000 acres of Waqf land had been misappropriated or allocated illegally, involving politicians and board members in collusion with real estate entities. The estimated value of the misappropriated land was Rs 2 lakh crore at the time.