Include 60 per cent commission charge against K'taka govt in SIT probe: Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru, Apr 12 (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous BJP government drew a sharp response from saffron party leader Basavaraj Bommai, who on Saturday demanded that graft charges against the Congress-led government also be brought under the SIT’s purview.
He urged that the SIT should investigate the 60 per cent commission allegations levelled against the present dispensation over the past two years, citing accusations made by various contractor associations.
His remarks came a day after the cabinet announced the SIT probe based on the Justice Nagmohan Das Commission’s report.
The one-man inquiry commission, constituted under the retired High Court judge to investigate the charges of a ‘40 per cent commission’ in civil works carried out during the BJP's tenure in the state, had submitted a 20,000-page report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last month.
Asked about the state government's decision, Bommai told reporters here that a commission had already been formed to look into the "false propaganda" regarding the 40 per cent corruption allegations.
He demanded that the contents of that commission’s report be made public.
"Why is this government trying to cover things up? In the past two years, there have been allegations of 60 per cent corruption against this government. That should also be included in the SIT investigation," Bommai said.
The former Karnataka CM pointed out that public works, excise, and electrical contractors’ associations have openly alleged that 60 per cent corruption is prevalent in the current government.
He added that the probe must also include allegations from the BJP's time in office.
"Political opponents spread false allegations against us, but where is the evidence? Now, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are saying that people should file complaints with the Lokayukta if commissions are being demanded. Even during the BJP's tenure, we said the same—but no one came forward with complaints," he said.
Responding to allegations that payments for completed works are being withheld based on seniority, Bommai claimed that the government didn’t have the funds to pay for completed projects.
"That’s why, even though tenders have been awarded, contractors are hesitant to take up the work," he alleged.
Bommai further alleged that the Congress government and CM Siddaramaiah are indulging in "caste census politics".
"Even before conducting the survey, they should have officially declared it a caste census. Instead, they disguised it as a socio-economic survey and collected caste-related data," he claimed.
He added that while the chairman of the Backward Classes Commission submitted the report, neither the secretary nor other commission members signed it.
"Now, another chairman has submitted a whitewashed version of the report," he alleged.
"If this government truly cares about the backward classes, they should make the report public and reveal what plans they have for their welfare," he said.
Bommai also recalled that the government had said the cabinet would discuss the issue, but it has now been postponed to the next cabinet meeting.
"They’re forming yet another cabinet subcommittee to study it," he said.
"The Chief Minister is merely talking about how backward communities won't fill anyone’s stomach. For the last three to four years, he’s been playing politics with this issue. Siddaramaiah is not committed. Where there is no commitment, a committee is formed," Bommai alleged.
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Explained: What is Waqf by User?
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The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing petitions that have challenged the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, with key concerns raised about the removal of the concept of ‘waqf by user’. This clause, which has been part of Waqf property recognition in India for decades, was omitted in the latest amendment, raising fears that thousands of longstanding religious properties may lose their legal status.
Appearing for the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the new amendment, saying there was growing concern over large portions of land being declared as Waqf without proper documentation. He said such declarations had created confusion and controversy in many parts of the country.
However, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed strong reservations about the deletion of ‘waqf by user’. On Wednesday, the bench had clearly warned that the change in law could impact the status of thousands of properties that have been used for religious or charitable purposes for decades—especially those in villages and older urban areas where formal land documents were never created.
During Thursday’s hearing, the Court granted seven days’ time to the Centre to file a detailed preliminary response on the matter.
"Genuine Properties Will Be Affected Too": Supreme Court’s Concern
Raising a crucial question, the CJI asked the Centre, “How will you register such waqfs by user? What documents will they have? It will lead to undoing something. Yes, there is some misuse. But there are genuine ones also.”
The bench highlighted that many waqf properties have been recognised by courts based on long-standing use, not on paper deeds. It added that any move to undo this recognition—by de-notifying such properties—would not be right while the matter is still being heard.
The top court made it clear that waqf properties already declared by courts—whether through written deeds or based on usage—should not be touched until the challenge to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 is fully examined.
What is ‘Waqf by User’?
In this context, the idea of ‘Waqf by user’ becomes important to understand.
‘Waqf by user’ refers to properties that may not have formal Waqf deeds or registration but have been in continuous public use for religious or charitable purposes—such as mosques, dargahs, graveyards, madrassas, or wells—often for several generations. These properties are treated as Waqf based on usage, not documents.
This concept allowed many old religious properties, especially in rural and semi-urban India, to be protected under Waqf laws, even if no official records were available. The logic was that community usage and religious practice over time was enough proof of the property's nature.
But the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 proposes to remove this recognition, stating that only those waqfs that are properly documented should be registered. This has now led to a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.
Legal Backing in India
The concept of Waqf by user is recognised under The Waqf Act, 1995, and earlier under The Mussalman Waqf Validating Acts during British rule.
Under the Waqf Act, 1995, the State Waqf Boards are allowed to identify, survey and register Waqf properties. While some Waqf properties have formal written deeds, others are registered based on field surveys, public evidence, and usage patterns.
This is particularly important in villages and older towns, where many mosques, dargahs, and graveyards were built centuries ago without formal registration.
Examples of Waqf by User
A small mosque in a village has been used for namaz for over 100 years, but there is no official document showing who donated the land. It is still considered Waqf by user.
A piece of land is being used as a Muslim graveyard for decades. Even if there is no title deed in the Waqf Board's name, the Board can register it as Waqf by user.
A dargah visited by people for generations without any formal land record can be listed as Waqf by user during official surveys.
How is ‘Waqf by User’ Recognised?
The process usually involves the following steps:
Waqf Survey Commissioner conducts a detailed survey in each state.
During the survey, locals and community leaders are consulted.
Properties that have been in religious or charitable use over time are identified.
These are registered under the State Waqf Board, even if no one comes forward as the donor.
The property is then protected under Waqf law.
The registered name in revenue or municipal records may still show as “government land” or “public land”, but once it is declared Waqf by user, it cannot be sold, transferred, or misused.
Why the Controversy?
The Centre argues that many properties have been wrongly declared as Waqf under the ‘waqf by user’ category, leading to land ownership disputes and encroachments. Critics, however, say the removal of this clause could wipe out legal recognition of genuine Waqf properties, especially in areas where such assets were created generations ago without written donations.
The Supreme Court’s current observation suggests that the court may lean towards a more balanced approach—recognising that while there may be misuse, the removal of ‘waqf by user’ entirely would also harm legitimate religious institutions and community properties.
What Next?
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to clarify how it plans to deal with such properties in the absence of ‘waqf by user’ recognition. The next steps in the hearing will determine whether the amendment stands or whether changes will be suggested to protect historically used religious lands.
