Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo Motu Case Over Report On Registration Of Judges' Bungalows, Temples, Schools As Waqf Properties
The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a Dainik Bhaskar news report claiming that judges' official residences, schools, colleges, temples and several other public and private properties in Jodhpur are recorded as Waqf properties in the official records.
Noting that various large properties were entered into the Waqf Gazette and uploaded on the Umeed Portal as Waqf assets despite revenue records stating otherwise, the bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Praveer Bhatnagar directed:
"Having regard to the nature of the material brought to the notice of this Court; the substantial extent of land involved; the apparent inconsistency between the revenue records and the Waqf records; and the fact that the properties stated to be affected include public, institutional, religious, residential and commercial properties as well as official judicial residences, this Court considers it necessary that the matter be examined in the larger public interest. Accordingly, this Court deems it appropriate to take suo motu cognizance of the matter and direct registration of the present proceedings as a Public Interest Litigation".
The court noted that the prima facie inclusion of educational institutions, places of worship, judicial residences and numerous residential and commercial properties within the Waqf records despite apparent discrepancy with revenue records raises concerns regarding "the sanctity and reliability of public records, the lawful administration of Waqf properties, the integrity of the process through which entries have been made in the Waqf Gazette and uploaded on the Umeed Portal".
The court further directed the State to maintain status quo in respect of the disputed properties. The court specifically restrained the State from mutation, transfer, lease, license, construction, demolition or other action altering the existing physical or legal status.
The court further directed the District Collector of Jodhpur to maintain and preserve the existing revenue records and to conduct a physical verification of the aforementioned khasra numbers with photographs and GPS particulars and submit a factual report indicating their nature and use.
The Chief Executive Officer of Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf was also directed to produce complete records relating to the inclusion of said properties in the Waqf Gazette and on Umeed Portal.
The court listed the matter on August 11, 2026.
Case Title: Suo Motu: In Re Illegal Registration of Municipal Properties (incl. Judges' Bungalows, Geeta Bhawan, Schools, Colleges & Temples as well as Khasra 482/485/490) as Waqf Assets in Jodhpur