Bharuch: In yet another case involving claims over a land parcel by the Waqf Board, members of the Muslim community have submitted a representation to the Collector’s office in Bharuch, alleging that a plot recently allotted to the municipality for the construction of a new water tank and pump room in the Bambakhana–Vejalpur area is Waqf property and recorded as a graveyard.

To address persistent water supply issues faced by residents of the Vejalpur Bambakhana locality, the Bharuch Municipality had proposed building a new overhead water tank and pump facility. Acting on this proposal, the Collector allotted approximately 2,977 square metres of land under City Survey No. 1506 in Ward No. 5 to the municipality.

Sources indicated that the municipality has also deposited 10 percent of the land’s value, around ₹38.70 lakh, to obtain advance possession of the site.

However, representatives of the Muslim community have opposed the move, stating that historical records dating back to 1875, including old survey documents and the property card, identify the land as a graveyard. They further pointed out that even after the 1975–76 revision survey, when the plot was renumbered as City Survey No. 1506, government records continued to classify it as a graveyard.

According to them, revenue laws prohibit the allocation or sale of land designated for burial or cremation grounds for any other purpose. They also claimed that the Idgah Waqf Trust administers the land and noted that objections had been raised earlier as well, but the issue remains unresolved. DeshGujarat