NHAI can’t acquire land: Waqf board

Charminar: The

Telangana State Waqf Board

(TSWB) on Monday prevented the

National Highway Authority of India

(NHAI) from acquiring land for road widening after demolishing a mosque. A meeting, headed by TSWB chairman Mohammed Saleem, was held with officials of NHAI and revenue department. NHAI officials sought to remove Masjid Saifullah Sultanpura in Sangareedy for road widening, however TSWB did not permit NHAI to carry out any demolition in and around the mosque.

“The board has conducted a meeting with officials of NHAI and revenue department regarding acquiring of land and a bid to demolish the mosque for widening of national highway number 161 at Palkal mandal of Sangareddy district,” said Mohammed Saleem.

“We have made it clear that no such initiative of acquiring the land will be accepted,” added the TSWB chairman.

The board chairman told NHAI authorities and revenue department officials that the mosque is a sacred religious place and there are strong religious feelings of Muslims attached to it, so it cannot be removed or damaged under any circumstances. “The demolition of mosque will be in violation of the Waqf Act, 1995. Thus, the National Highway Authority of India will not be allowed to carry out any such action of obtaining and damaging the religious property,” he added.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.