Dehradun Madrasa Land Row Takes New Turn as Disputed Plot Was Later Sold to Hindu Buyers

A new development has emerged in the ongoing Dehradun land dispute involving property once associated with a proposed Muslim educational institution. Authorities in Uttarakhand have confirmed that the land in question was subsequently sold to Hindu buyers after passing through multiple ownership transfers, adding a fresh dimension to the controversy.

The matter pertains to approximately 20 acres of land originally owned by the Shekhul-Hind Trust. Following a detailed inquiry, the state government has initiated proceedings to seal 4.192 bigha of the disputed land, citing alleged violations of existing land use regulations.

Background: From Madrasa Permission to Legal Scrutiny

The property, located nearly 15 kilometres from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, was reportedly purchased in 2004 after obtaining permission to operate a madrasa on the site. However, questions were later raised regarding compliance with Uttarakhand’s land laws governing usage and transfer.

Officials stated that the matter reached the Uttarakhand High Court, which clarified that while the government could not automatically vest the land in itself, the trust was permitted to sell the property only as agricultural land. This distinction has become central to the present legal proceedings.

In 2016, the Shekhul-Hind Trust sought official approval to sell the land. According to government records, authorities responded that any sale would have to be strictly for agricultural purposes, in line with prevailing land regulations.

Multiple Ownership Transfers

Subsequently, the trust is said to have sold the land to 15 individuals from the Muslim community, categorising the transaction as an agricultural land sale.

According to the administration’s findings, these buyers later subdivided the property and sold smaller parcels to between 70 and 80 Hindu purchasers in 2022.

Officials now contend that the manner in which the land was divided and transferred may have contravened current land use norms. Authorities are examining whether the subdivision and resale of the plots complied with agricultural land restrictions and zoning regulations.

Proceedings Under UPZA and LR Act

The Uttarakhand government has initiated action under Sections 166 and 167 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms (UPZA and LR) Act, which continues to apply in the state. These provisions empower authorities to review land transfers that may violate statutory conditions.

Notices have reportedly been issued to concerned parties, and the process to potentially transfer the disputed land to government control has been initiated, subject to legal review and due process.

Officials have emphasized that the action is based solely on alleged violations related to land classification, usage, and transfer norms, and not on the religious identity of the current or previous owners.

Legal and Policy Implications

The case has once again highlighted the complexities surrounding land governance in Uttarakhand, particularly in areas where agricultural land conversion and institutional use intersect. Land regulation enforcement remains a sensitive issue in the state, especially amid heightened scrutiny of land transactions involving trusts and community institutions.

As proceedings continue, the matter is expected to move through legal channels, with affected parties likely to respond to the notices issued. The final outcome will depend on judicial interpretation of land use compliance and adherence to statutory procedures.

The development underscores the importance of regulatory clarity and due diligence in land transactions, particularly when properties undergo multiple ownership transfers over time.