Chikkamagaluru: The district Waqf officer, Syed Sattar Shah Husaini, has been suspended for allegedly overseeing the illegal demolition of a disputed structure near Bada Makkan, opposite the city taluk office.
The site has been at the center of a legal battle between Kamalamma, who claims ownership, and the Karnataka Waqf Board along with the Jamia Mosque. A 2017 court order had prohibited any demolition, and the Karnataka High Court was still reviewing a petition related to the dispute.
Despite these legal barriers, the structure was razed in the early hours of March 4, allegedly by Husaini and over 200 people. The demolition occurred amid political tensions over alleged land encroachments by the Waqf Board.
State Waqf Board chairman K Anwar Basha stated that Husaini bypassed legal procedures, failing to notify the municipality or law enforcement. His suspension was prompted by his non-compliance with a prior notice seeking clarification.
Following complaints, an FIR was filed against Husaini and 14 Jamia Mosque members. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj imposed prohibitory orders in the area for 14 days to maintain peace.
The demolition has triggered a political storm. The Congress distanced itself from the incident, stating that the Waqf Board operates independently. The BJP, however, accused the ruling party of tacitly supporting the act and vowed to push for the reconstruction of the building.
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