Second notice to Saif Ali Khan’s sister in 4 days: Waqf Board strict on not fulfilling responsibilities properly

The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has issued a second notice in 4 days against Saba Sultan, the mutawalli (manager) of Auqaf-e-Shahi. Saba is the elder sister of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and sister-in-law of actress Kareena Kapoor. She is the daughter of cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore. The Waqf Board on 30 September 2011 made him the mutawalli of properties donated by Nawabs for waqfs (donations for religious purposes).

The matter pertains to the continuous disobedience of the orders of the Waqf Board and the provision of Dharamshalas (Rubats) located in Mecca and Medina to the Haj pilgrims of Bhopal. In the notice, the board has accused him of negligence of responsibility and not taking interest in the work. It is also alleged that she neither inspects the Waqf properties nor has there been any increase in the income from them. MP Waqf Board CEO Syed Shakir Ali Jafri has issued notices. Board President Sanwar Patel is also serious in this matter.

Notices have been sent to his Delhi address on May 8 and again on May 12. A copy of the notice has also been sent to the office of Auqaf-e-Shahi located at Moti Masjid in Bhopal. Auqaf-e-Shahi is an institution formed by the erstwhile Nawab family of the princely state of Bhopal.

TOn May 8, the Waqf Board had given a show cause notice to Sabah and sought a reply within a week. Saba had sought time till May 20. She herself did not come to answer. Answered under the signature of the Secretary, Auqaf-i-Shahi. The Waqf Board has considered this as disobeying the orders of the Board.

Disobeying the orders of the Waqf Board.Persistent failure to fulfill the intention of the informer. Not providing Rubaats to the pilgrims going for Haj from Bhopal. Not performing the responsibilities of mutawalli properly. Mis-management of the property of the royal auqaf.

It has been said in the notice that Saba is neither performing her responsibilities properly as a mutawalli nor taking interest in preserving and protecting the Waqf property of Auqaf-e-Shahi. The property is not even being developed. Due to this encroachment and occupation are taking place. Income is also not increasing. She is making other people work by giving their responsibilities, which is wrong.

In the second notice given to Sabah Sultan, there is mention of making available the facility of Rubats located in Mecca-Madina. It has been said in this that on May 10, 2023, 200 Haj pilgrims have been selected for Rubat through Qurra (Lucky Draw). The Haj Committee of India does not take money from these pilgrims for their accommodation, but the Haj Committee is making them deposit the money.

In this regard, the Haj pilgrims submitted a collective application to the Chairman of the Board, Sanwar Patel. Haj Committee of India CEO Mohd. Yakub Shaikh informed Chairman Patel that Auqaf-e-Shahi has not provided the documents related to Rubats located in Mecca-Madina to the Haj Committee of India. In such a situation, the Haj pilgrims cannot be given the facility of rubats.

In a notice given to Saba Sultan on May 8, the board had asked it to inform the board within 7 days by arranging rubats in Mecca and Madina for the Haj pilgrims of Bhopal. Despite this no action was taken. Here, on May 10, 200 passengers have been selected through lucky draw to be given the facility of Rubat at Mecca.