Sambhal: First waqf land row post-amendment: Janeta dargah land in govt crosshairs

Following accusations regarding its property ownership, the Astana-e-Alia Qadriya Naushahiya dargah in Janeta village, Sambhal district, has come under administrative scrutiny. This is the first Waqf-related controversy to arise in the district since the Waqf Amendment Act, 2005 went into effect.

The district magistrate received a formal complaint from a local citizen who claimed that the dargah is located on government property and that illegal money extortion occurs during its yearly religious fair. Syed Shahid Miyan, the mutawalli (caretaker), was particularly mentioned in the lawsuit, which accused him of taking public land illegally and making fraudulent claims to power under the Waqf Board.

Revenue collector Dhirendra Pratap Singh visited the contested site on Thursday in response to the complaint and instructed the caretaker to provide documentary proof of ownership. Shahid Miyan responded on Saturday by presenting documentation claiming the land is owned by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.