Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Maharashtra State Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer CEO A R Sheikh, who had gone to the Supreme Court over construction at a prime plot in Mumbai on which Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani is building his 27-floor skyscraper, has been transferred out.
Sheikh said he had received the orders dated May 3, terminating his deputation to the Wakf Board. 8220;I have been asked to hand over charge and report back to my parent department the Rural Development Department,8221; he said, refusing to comment on whether the transfer was prompted by his plea in the Supreme Court.
Sheikh pointed out that the transfer orders were 8220;apparently defective8221; as, though he was part of the newly created Minority Welfare Department as the Wakf Board CEO, the orders shunting him out had been issued by the Revenue Department.
8220;I am ready to comply with the orders.. But the Wakf board members are asking me not to hand over charge,8221; said Sheikh. The Wakf Board is the custodian of Wakf properties in Maharashtra.
Ambani8217;s Antilia Commercial Private Ltd had acquired 4,532 sq m of land on Altamont Road in South Mumbai from Currimbhoy Ebrahim Khoja Orphanage in a public auction for around Rs 21 crore in 2002. He is building a 27-storey skyscraper on the land.
Sheikh said on July 3, 2007, the state Government had asked the board to initiate action for 8220;restoring the Wakf property8221;, on grounds that it had been 8220;illegally sold by the trustees8221;. However, the Bombay HC stayed the action, and a plea was filed in the SC 8220;as per the decision of the board8221;, asking for construction on the plot to be stayed or the HC stay to be lifted.
