Deputy CM rescinds mosque land pattas

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali on Monday ordered the cancellation of all pattas issued on land belonging to Chunti Shah Mosque at Osmanpura in Old City.

The Revenue Department had issued 19 pattas by calling the Wakf property as government land. However, on Deputy CM's direction, the officials of Revenue and Wakf Board conducted a joint survey on Monday and concluded that the entire 9,244 sq yards of land belonged to Wakf. The team included Wakf Board CEO Asadullah, RDO and Charminar MRO. They later submitted a report to Minorities Welfare Department Secretary and Wakf Board Special Officer Syed Omer Jaleel.

Based on the findings of the joint inspection, the Deputy CM ordered immediate cancellation of pattas. He also directed the officials to evict encroachers and rehabilitate them. He asked the Wakf Board CEO to take possession of the entire property and submit a detailed report at the earliest.

Speaking to newsmen later, Mahmood Ali said he learnt about the issue of pattas while he was campaigning in by-elections for Warangal Lok Sabha seat. He said he had offered last Friday prayers in Chunti Shah mosque and also called the Revenue Department officials to the site. After preliminary inquiry, he ordered a joint inspection and based on it he ordered cancellation of pattas.

The Deputy CM claimed that this was the first case wherein a Wakf property was restored in such a short time. He also assured that stern action would be taken against the officials, if found guilty.