Srinagar, Mar 17, KDC: Senior Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Yasir Reshi has called for a high-level probe into the alleged “shocking” and “clandestine” leasing of approximately 150 kanals of Waqf land in the Asham area of Sumbal in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
In a statement issued following his post on X, Reshi flagged what he described as a complete absence of public notice, competitive bidding, and transparency in the allotment of the prime Waqf property, terming it a serious violation of established legal and administrative norms governing religious endowments.
“Waqf land is a public trust meant for the welfare of the community. Any allotment made without following due procedure such as public tender or open auction is not just an administrative lapse, but a breach of legal and moral responsibility,” Reshi said.
He alleged that the allocation was carried out in secrecy, bypassing mandatory procedures that ensure community assets are utilized in a transparent and accountable manner. He further questioned how such a significant parcel of land could be leased without the knowledge of local stakeholders or wider public scrutiny.
Reshi demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board immediately disclose the details of the lease, including the identity of beneficiaries and the criteria used for the allotment.
“The people have a right to know who has been granted this land and on what basis. Lack of disclosure raises serious concerns about fairness and intent,” he said.
Calling for accountability, the former MLC urged the authorities to halt any ongoing activity on the land until a transparent review is conducted.
“I urge the authorities to suspend the allotment, place all records in the public domain, and initiate a time-bound inquiry to fix responsibility if any wrongdoing is established,” he said.
The demand comes amid wider concerns over the management of Waqf assets in Jammu and Kashmir, including issues related to transparency, record-keeping, and safeguarding of community-owned properties.
Reshi also called for a broader audit of recent allotments made by the Board to ensure that all transactions comply with legal provisions and are aligned with the intended purpose of Waqf institutions.
“Waqf properties are meant to serve the community, particularly the underprivileged. Any deviation from this objective undermines public trust and must be addressed with urgency,” he added.
He emphasized the need for a transparent and centralized mechanism to safeguard Waqf assets from misuse and ensure they are utilised for long-term community benefit. (KDC)
