Wednesday, July 13 2005 12:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board today (July 13, 2005) declared that the Taj Mahal was a wakf property and directed that the 17th Century monument be registered in its name.

The Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, Hafiz Usman, made the declaration in a packed court here this (July 13, 2005) morning.

The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board was hearing the matter on the direction of Allahabad High Court on a petition filed by one Mohammad Irfan Bedar contending that Taj was a Wakf property and he ought to be declared its 'mutawalli' (caretaker).

It had deferred pronouncement of its judgement on June 25 saying the Board was still collecting evidence and considering legal points pertaining to the world heritage monument.

The Board was in the process of gathering manuscripts, archaeological and other related documents to arrive at a 'proper conclusion,' Hafiz Usman had said while deferring decision in the matter.

Describing the Waqf Board decision as 'not in the interest of Taj Mahal,' a representative of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who attended the hearing said, "ASI would challenge it in the court of law."

The ASI had vehemently opposed registration of the Taj Mahal as a Waqf property in its presentation to the Board. The Shia Community had also filed an application with the board seeking to be impleaded in the matter but the Board had rejected it.