Monday, April 4 2005 20:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Agra: Revenue records pertaining to Taj Mahal do not show the historic monument as a Waqf property, as claimed by the UP Sunni Waqf Board, official sources said in Agra today (Apr 4, 2005).

A report prepared by the Tehsildar, in whose area the monument is located, said that land records show it as 'Shahi Imarat' (royal building), the sources said.

They said that the record did not mention Taj as a Waqf property though all other Waqf properties were listed in it.

The report has been prepared in response to a letter by the Waqf Board seeking information from Agra District Magistrate on ownership and allied matters related to the Taj.

The District Magistrate is expected to send the required information to the Waqf Board after further investigation, the sources said.

The Board had earlier claimed that Taj was a Waqf property and that its control and management should be transferred to it.

It issued notices to the Archaeological Survey of India and the Central Government saying that it had received applications for the registration of Maqbara Shahjehan and Mumtaz Mahal property known as 'Taj Mahal' at Agra under the provision 36 of the Waqf Act, 1995.