ED raids multiple locations across Gujarat over irregularities in Waqf properties

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate conducted multiple searches across Gujarat on Tuesday as part of a money laundering investigation into financial irregularities involving Waqf properties.
The agency filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after taking note of an Ahmedabad Police FIR against five individuals who allegedly claimed illegal trusteeship of the Kanch Ki Masjid Trust and Shah Bada Kasam Trust.

The ED is investigating Salim Khan Jumma Khan Pathan, Mohammad Yasar Abdulhamiya Sheikh, Mehmud Khan Jumma Khan Pathan, Fezmohamad Pir Mohammad Chobdar, and Saheed Ahmad Yakubhai Sheikh. The agency's Ahmedabad zonal office raided nine premises belonging to the accused and their associates.
The accused allegedly entered fraudulent lease agreements and collected rent from tenants while submitting false affidavits to the Waqf Board. They are suspected of building unauthorized shops on trust land and engaging in fraud against the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Waqf Board for personal gain.
A plot of land next to the Kanch Ki Masjid, originally owned by the Kanch Ki Masjid Trust, was previously given to the AMC for building two Urdu schools. The schools were meant to educate local children from classes 1 to 7.
The school building was damaged in the 2001 earthquake and was demolished in 2009. Between 2008 and 2025, approximately 150-200 houses and 25-30 shops were illegally constructed on the property.
The accused collected monthly rent from these properties but failed to deposit the money into the trust's account. They allegedly misappropriated trust money and land that was intended for community welfare.
In 2024, the accused submitted a forged affidavit to the Waqf Board in Gandhinagar to falsely claim trusteeship, reportedly misleading both the board and the AMC.
The investigation comes as the Centre recently introduced the Waqf Amendment Act, which aims to increase transparency in Waqf property operations and transactions. Opposition parties have labeled the act unconstitutional.
The ED's investigation targets the accused who had "illegally" claimed to be trustees of the Kanch Ki Masjid Trust and Shah Bada Kasam Trust. The agency suspects their involvement in "fraud and conspiracy" against the AMC and Waqf Board for "personal" gains.