Ayesha Amina Trust President Battles Misappropriation Allegations, Re-conveys Property to Waqf
Bengaluru, October 16, 2025 — The President of the Ayesha Amina Trust, Dr. Ahmed Sharieff Siraj, has vehemently denied allegations of misappropriation and wrongful property gain lodged against him and other trustees, appealing to the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf (Waqf Board) to withdraw a registered First Information Report (FIR). Dr. Siraj asserts the complaint, filed by the Waqf Officer upon the Board’s instructions, is “wholly false, baseless and unfounded,” stemming from unverified claims by a disgruntled former trustee.
In a detailed letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board, Dr. Siraj outlined the factual timeline of the property dispute and revealed a significant act of dedication: he re-conveyed the contested property—which he claims was his private asset—back to the Trust, incurring a substantial personal financial loss to safeguard the institution’s reputation and legacy.
Allegations of Fraudulent Sale Rejected
The FIR, which named Dr. Siraj and other trustees, alleged that Dr. Siraj bifurcated the Trust property, carved out 525 sq. ft. as a private asset, registered it in his name, constructed shops, leased them for ₹50,00,000, and subsequently sold the property to an individual named Jaya Shankar for ₹5,00,00,000.
Dr. Siraj strongly refuted these figures and the premise of the complaint, stating it was lodged “without any verification, preliminary enquiry or issuance of show-cause notice.” He pointed to Subhan Sharieff, the former Secretary of the Trust, as the source of the misinformation, whose “antecedents in misappropriations of Trust funds and misconduct are already on record in your office.”
“The allegations levelled in the said complaint/FIR are wholly false, baseless and unfounded,” Dr. Siraj wrote, maintaining that the initial transaction involving the 525 sq. ft. area was a sale by his family of their private property to Jaya Shankar for a total consideration of ₹1,48,37,000, not the inflated figure circulated.
Tracing the Property’s History: A Question of Waqf Extent
The core of the dispute revolves around the precise extent of land registered as Waqf property.
The Ayesha Amina Trust was established on August 10, 1972, by Dr. Siraj’s late father, Haji Nabi Sharief, and others. The property, purchased by Hajee Nabi Sharief from his personal funds, originally measured 6541 sq. ft.
A critical detail emerged from the Trust’s registration with the Waqf Board on October 18, 1984. Dr. Siraj stated that the then-Secretary had requested that only 6058.77 sq. ft. be registered as Waqf property, excluding the remaining portion.
This discrepancy was seemingly reinforced in a 2020 Gazette Notification (No. RD 37 SSM 2020), where the Waqf Board mentioned that only 5003.06 sq. ft. stood registered as Waqf. The Gazette explicitly stated: “as per CR total extent is 5978 Sq feet and as per sketch and enjoyment is 5003.06 sq. Ft i,e 974.94 Sq feet is less.”
Dr. Siraj claimed that he succeeded as the legal heir to the un-notified portion of 974.94 sq. ft. He constructed shops on 525 sq. ft. of this area, which he considered his private property. After leasing the shops, he gifted this portion to his wife and daughters, who subsequently sold it to Jaya Shankar in June 2025.
Act of Dedication: Re-conveyance to Restore Faith
Following the sale, Dr. Siraj reported that “vested-interest individuals and groups,” spearheaded by the former Secretary, began “spreading false information and malicious rumours” to the Waqf Board, leading to the police complaint.
Despite being the aggrieved party, and to decisively quell the malicious campaign, Dr. Siraj took extraordinary action. He approached the purchaser, Jaya Shankar, and persuaded him to sell the property back. The property was re-purchased on August 25, 2025.
Crucially, on September 15, 2025, Dr. Siraj executed a transfer deed, registering the 525 sq. ft. property and its constructed six shops back in favour of the Ayesha Amina Trust.
“This course of action was undertaken by me not with standing the substantial financial loss that me and my family incurred in transferring our private property to the Trust,” Dr. Siraj stated. This selfless act has endowed the Trust with a structure constructed at an expenditure of ₹80 lakhs, now enabling the Trust to derive a total monthly rental income of ₹1,10,000, thereby continuing “the noble legacy of my late father.”
Call for Corrective Justice and Future Confidence
In light of his actions, Dr. Siraj emphasized that the allegations against the trustees are “wholly misconceived, baseless, and legally untenable,” rendering the continuation of the FIR “infructuous.”
He urged the Waqf Board to recognize the entire remaining un-notified portion of 974.94 sq. ft. as Waqf and issue a Corrigendum Gazette notification accordingly.
Dr. Siraj’s final plea to the Waqf Board was for immediate action to withdraw the FIR, stressing its importance for public confidence. “Such corrective action would convey a clear message to the public that the Waqf Board does not yield to pressures or influence from vested interests, and that it upholds the principles of fairness, justice, and due process,” he concluded.
He expressed hope that a remedial action would prevent apprehensions from escalating among individuals who intend to dedicate their properties for Waqf causes, thereby restoring their confidence in the supervision of the Board. Justice and integrity are paramount as the Trust seeks to move forward, focusing on its charitable mission.
Key Quotes
- “The allegations levelled in the said complaint/FIR are wholly false, baseless and unfounded.” (Direct, strong denial from Dr. Siraj)
- “This course of action was undertaken by me not with standing the substantial financial loss that me and my family incurred in transferring our private property to the Trust.” (Highlights the personal sacrifice and dedication)
- “Such corrective action would convey a clear message to the public that the Waqf Board does not yield to pressures or influence from vested interests.” (A direct challenge and appeal to the Waqf Board’s integrity)
- “The motive of [the former Secretary] in unleashing the malicious campaign is purely vindictive, aimed at retaliating against the current Trustees…” (Pinpointing the alleged vindictive motive behind the complaint)
- “The continuation of the FIR against me and the other Trustees becomes infractuous and serves no legal purpose and it unjustly maligns not only the reputation of the Ayesha Amina Trust but also the integrity of the Karnataka State Waqf Board.” (The core legal argument for withdrawal)
Q&A on the Ayesha Amina Trust Dispute
Q1: What is the central allegation against Dr. Ahmed Sharieff Siraj and the Ayesha Amina Trust trustees?
A: The primary allegation, based on the FIR filed by the Waqf Officer, is that Dr. Siraj, in his capacity as Trust President, fraudulently bifurcated a portion of the Waqf property ( sq. ft.), registered it as private property, constructed shops, and subsequently sold it to an individual named Jaya Shankar for a wrongful gain.
Q2: What is Dr. Siraj’s main defense against these charges?
A: Dr. Siraj asserts the allegations are “wholly false, baseless and unfounded.” His defense rests on two points: first, that the sq. ft. portion was part of an un-notified area ( sq. ft.) that he claims he inherited as private property, based on discrepancies in the original Waqf registration and the Gazette Notification. Second, he proved his good faith by re-purchasing the property and dedicating it back to the Trust, absorbing a substantial personal financial loss.
Q3: Who does Dr. Siraj claim is behind the “malicious campaign” leading to the FIR?
A: Dr. Siraj explicitly names Subhan Sharieff, the former Secretary of the Ayesha Amina Trust. He alleges Subhan Sharieff is spearheading a “vindictive” campaign in retaliation for legal action previously taken against him, including his removal from the Trust due to alleged misappropriation of funds.
Q4: What specific action is Dr. Siraj demanding from the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf (Waqf Board)?
A: Dr. Siraj is urging the Waqf Board to immediately file an application with the police authorities to withdraw or close the misconceived FIR. He also expects the Board to formally recognize the entire remaining un-notified portion of the land as Waqf by issuing a Corrigendum Gazette notification.
Q5: What is the broader impact Dr. Siraj suggests the Board’s corrective action would have?
A: He states that withdrawing the FIR and rectifying the record would “restore the credibility” of both the Trust and the Board. Crucially, he argues it would convey a message of fairness and justice, preventing apprehensions among individuals who intend to dedicate their properties for Waqf causes, thus encouraging future endowments.
