50 Acres of Notified Waqf Land Targeted in Ramnagar; Community Leaders Seek High-Level Police Probe
Ramnagar: A brazen attempt to illegally sell more than 50 acres of notified waqf land belonging to Jamia Masjid in Belagumba Village has triggered outrage, police complaints and demands for strict, time-bound action against what leaders have described as a “land mafia conspiracy involving forgery, fraud and abuse of public records.”
The disputed land, spread across 50 acres and 14 guntas in Belagumba Village, Kasaba Hubli of Ramnagar Taluk, is a gazetted waqf property under the Waqf Board. Despite its clear legal status, antisocial elements allegedly attempted to sell the land using forged documents, fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and fabricated signatures of government officials.
Waqf Property Under Illegal Attack
Former Political Secretary to the former Prime Minister, Syed Ashraf, said the land is “undisputedly owned by Jamia Masjid and stands recorded as waqf property in official records.”
“This is not a private land that can be bartered away. It is a gazetted waqf property meant for the community. Yet some rogue elements are shamelessly trying to loot it through forged documents and criminal conspiracy,” Ashraf stated.
He said he personally visited Ramnagar to inspect the land and later verified records at the district Waqf office. “The executive officer categorically confirmed that this property belongs to the Waqf Board and that no NOC was ever issued for its sale,” he added.
Forgery of Official Signatures Triggers Police Case
Ashraf revealed that a formal complaint has already been lodged at the Ramnagar Rural Police Station after the discovery of a forged document carrying fabricated signatures and reference numbers.
“The document in circulation is a complete forgery. It carries a fake NOC number and even a forged signature of the Taluk Magistrate-cum-Tahsildar. Neither the Waqf authorities nor the Tahsildar have signed or approved any such paper,” he said.
Calling the act a serious criminal offence, Ashraf said he would urge the Tahsildar to independently file a complaint for misuse and forgery of his official signature.
Land Mafia Conspiracy Since 2023: Obaidullah Sharif
KPCC Vice President Obaidullah Sharif alleged that a well-organised land mafia has been targeting the waqf land since 2023.
“This is a systematic conspiracy to loot more than 50 acres of waqf property. Landgrabbers colluded with four descendants of Rasool Khan, who has absolutely no legal claim over this waqf land,” Sharif said.
He disclosed that on August 16, 2024, the accused obtained a General Power of Attorney from the grandson of Nabee Saab and subsequently entered into a sale agreement with four individuals — Amjadulla Khan and his brothers, Naeem Mohammad Naeem and Abdul Razak Khan.
“An amount of ₹4 crore was paid by cheque and ₹50 lakh in cash. Shockingly, this illegal agreement was even registered at the Sub-Registrar’s office,” Sharif said, calling it a “clear failure of due diligence.”
Fake NOC Exposed, Case Registered
The conspiracy began to unravel when a prospective buyer conducted due diligence and discovered the land was waqf property.
“The buyer insisted on an NOC from the Waqf Board before paying a ₹5 crore advance. When he approached the District Waqf Officer, he was told the NOC was forged and never issued,” Sharif said.
Following this revelation, the Jama Masjid secretary and the District Waqf Officer filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of a criminal case.
Demand for CID Probe and Exemplary Punishment
Sharif demanded stringent action against all involved. “Not just the sellers, but every conspirator, witness and beneficiary who signed or facilitated these illegal documents must be booked. Abdul Razak Khan, Naeem and others cannot escape accountability,” he said.
He urged the Minister for Waqf, Alhaj Zamir Ahmad Khan, to order a CID inquiry to expose the entire network behind the attempted land grab. 
Appeal to DGP for Immediate Action
Syed Ashraf said he, along with Obaidullah Sharif, will submit a memorandum to the Director General of Police, seeking immediate intervention.
“We will demand a time-bound investigation, public clarification and strict punishment for those attempting to sell waqf land. This land must be restored and safeguarded for the Waqf Board,” Ashraf said.
Strong Condemnation, Praise for Whistleblowers
Both leaders strongly condemned the “unscrupulous land mafia, document forgers and antisocial elements” behind the scam, terming the act an assault on public trust and community assets.
At the same time, they praised Waqf officials, the Jama Masjid management and alert citizens who exposed the fraud and initiated legal action.
“Those protecting waqf properties are performing a public service. The culprits must be made an example of, so no one dares to loot waqf land again,” Sharif asserted.
The case has renewed calls for tighter scrutiny, institutional accountability and zero tolerance toward land-grabbing rackets targeting religious and charitable properties.
