Notices issued to 74 occupants encroaching on Waqf properties

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) In a move aimed at freeing DelhiWaqf Board’s properties of encroachment, authorities haveissued notices to 74 occupants in the walled city to vacatethe properties in the next 15 days. "SDM (Kotwali) Akhil Kumar yesterday issued notices to 74occupants of Waqf properties in different parts of walled cityunder Section 55 of the Waqf Act, giving them 15 days time tovacate the premises," a statement by Delhi Waqf Board said. Those who have been served notices will now have tovacate the Waqf properties within 15 days or approach boardfor fresh rent agreements, a Waqf Board official said. The notices to occupants have been served under the areasincluding Lahori Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Jama Masjid, IP Estate,Chandni Mahal, Bada Hindurao and Sabzi Mandi areas. Theoccupants will be forcefully evicted with the help of policeif they fail to vacate the properties on their own, theofficial said. Prior to the notices issued by the SDM, the Waqf BoardCEO had issued orders against the occupants of the 74properties under Section 54 of Waqf Act, 1995. Delhi Waqf Board has formed a task force to look intoillegal encroachments of its properties all over the city. "Presently, a total of 990 notices are lying pending withSDMs in different areas of the city. The task force is meetingthe SDMs for issuing notices so that the properties could befreed at the earliest," said the official. PTI VIT AAR RGAAR