Gangster Atiq Ahmed’s Illegal Waqf Property Worth Rs 71 Crore Cracked Down By UP Govt: Major Developments In Waqf

There has been a big development that could cause political and legal issues. It’s been revealed that the family and close aides of the murdered mafia leader, Atiq Ahmed, have reportedly taken control of Waqf properties worth Rs 71 crore in Uttar Pradesh. This news comes right after President Droupadi Murmu approved the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was passed by Parliament earlier this week.

The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner started an investigation into the misuse and illegal occupation of Waqf properties in Prayagraj. The investigation found that many commercial and residential properties, like shops, houses, and multi-story buildings, were illegally taken over by Atiq Ahmed’s family and associates.

These properties were managed by a Waqf Board-appointed caretaker, Syed Mohammad Ashiyam. He is accused of allowing the illegal takeover in exchange for bribes. He has been removed from his position, and a new caretaker has been appointed to manage the properties.

Uttar Pradesh Government Efforts

After the investigation, the Prayagraj police filed a case (FIR) on November 18, 2023, against seven members of Atiq Ahmed’s family. Bulldozers were used to demolish some of the properties that were illegally taken over, as part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s ongoing efforts to remove illegal assets owned by criminals. The state government, which is known for using “bulldozer justice,” has promised to keep taking action against all illegal occupations, including misuse of Waqf land.

Some properties are still being looked at by the authorities, and officials say more action will be taken soon. A senior district official said, “Wherever illegal encroachments are proven, strict action will be taken according to the law.” The issue with Atiq Ahmed’s family comes at a sensitive time because the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has just become law. This new law aims to make Waqf Boards work more efficiently, improve transparency, and make sure that Waqf properties are not misused.

The new law includes rules for stricter checks, better accountability, and digital records of Waqf properties all over India. It also introduces tougher punishments for taking over or misusing Waqf properties. However, the bill has faced some opposition. The discovery of Atiq Ahmed’s family controlling Waqf properties fits with the Uttar Pradesh government’s bigger campaign against the mafia. Since 2022, the state has seized or demolished illegal properties worth hundreds of crores that are linked to mafias and their networks, including those connected to Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari.

Atiq Ahmed, a five-time MLA from Allahabad West and someone accused in over 100 criminal cases, was shot dead along with his brother Ashraf while in police custody in April 2023. Despite his death, it appears that his family still has control over illegal assets, including lands belonging to religious trusts.

The case has sparked a bigger discussion about how Waqf properties, which are meant to help the Muslim community, are being misused by corrupt officials and powerful families. Waqf lands, which cover more than 6 lakh acres across India, are often not properly monitored, making them easy targets for illegal takeovers, misuse, and fake transfers.

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