Maharashtra Government is examining the Centre's proposal to refer to the CBI the issue of sale of Wakf land for Ambani's luxurious abode 'Antillia'.
Mukesh Ambani’s 27-storey skyscraper, Antilla, may land in fresh trouble as the Maharashtra government is thinking of handing over the building’s land dispute case to the CBI.
About eight months ago, the Centre advised the state government to let the agency investigate allegations that Ambani bought Wakf land, which is not permissible under law.
The original owner, Karimbhai Ibrahimbhai Khoja Orphanage, a charitable trust, sold the land to Ambani’s Antilla Commercial Private Limited in July 2002 for Rs21.5 crore — much less than the prevailing market rate.
Arif Naseem Khan, the minorities welfare and Wakf department minister, said the Centre asked his department to consider referring the case to the CBI. He said his department had sought the opinion of the state law and judiciary department, which wanted the home department to clarify the matter.
The proposal was sent to the home department on July, 24, 2011.
Khan said these in a written reply to a question raised by Eknath Khadse, leader of the opposition, in the state assembly. Khadse alleged that the Wakf land was sold to Ambani at a cheap rate. He demanded an explanation from Khan about the status of the central government’s advice regarding Antilla.
“Even the charity commissioner, Mumbai, gave his permission,” Khan said. “But the Wakf board slapped a notice on the orphanage in April 2004 because the deal had been struck without its permission.
In 2005, the orphanage deposited Rs16 lakh with the board as penalty and to regularise the deal.” Khan said the board took back the notice after receiving the money.
MLA Nawab Malik of the NCP too demanded a CBI investigation into the allegations. “It is high time that the CBI inquires into the dealings,” he said.
“If any irregularities are found, the government should treat it just like any other illegal structure in the city and demolish it.” Malik was speaking outside the assembly.
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