Dehradun madrasa land row takes turn, disputed plot was sold to Hindus

A fresh controversy has surfaced in Uttarakhand involving the sale of land initially earmarked for a Muslim university, which was later sold to Hindu buyers after multiple ownership changes. Authorities are now taking legal action over alleged violations of land laws in Dehradun.

A fresh twist has emerged in the alleged ‘Land Jihad’ controversy in Uttarakhand, with authorities revealing that land once at the centre of a proposed Muslim university row was eventually sold to Hindu buyers after changing hands multiple times.

The development came to light in Dehradun following an investigation into around 20 acres owned by the Shekhul-Hind Trust. The administration has now initiated action to seal 4.192 bigha of the land, alleging violations of the state’s land laws.

The land, located about 15 km from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, was originally purchased in 2004 after permission was granted for running a madrasa school.

However, officials say the land laws were not complied with, and the matter reached the High Court. The court ruled that the government could not vest the land in itself, but made it clear that the trust could sell the property only as agricultural land.

In 2016, the trust sought permission from the government to sell the land. The government responded that it could be sold strictly for agricultural purposes.

According to the administration, the trust subsequently sold the land as agricultural property to 15 individuals belonging to the Muslim community.