Intensifying his preservation efforts for Waqf properties Special Officer Waqf Board Shaikh Mohammed Iqbal has begun action to acquire Waqf land of Viceroy hotel, Tankbund and its adjoining land. Waqf Board has also decided to approach the Waqf Tribunal in this regard to issue eviction order for Viceroy Hotel. Addressing a press conference here Shaikh Mohammed Iqbal, special officer, Waqf Board claimed that the star hotel is built on the Waqf land measuring two acres and two ‘guntas’. He said that there is no doubt that the hotel is built on waqf land. He informed that in 2005 the then executive officer of Waqf board conducted an enquiry regarding land on which Viceroy Hotel was built and issued notice to the hotel. After two years in 2007, in its reply, the hotel management, however, maintained that it was not waqf land.
Waqf Board Special Officer Shaikh Mohammad Iqbal also asserted that cases would be booked against erring ‘Mutawallis’ (caretakers) of Waqf properties under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He informed that as per the Waqf Act of 1995, the Mutawallis fall into the category of Public Servant and they could be booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act besides other sections of IPC and Cr PC.
The land on which Viceroy Hotel was built was said to be donated for maintenance of Masjid-e-Khamooshan nearby.
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