Waqf Land Used for Antilia? Owaisi Questions Legality of Sale

Mukesh Ambani’s 27-storey mansion Antilia, valued at ₹15,000 crore, is back in the spotlight — not for its luxury, but due to a revived land ownership controversy. The issue has resurfaced amid the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to strengthen oversight of Waqf properties — land donated for religious or charitable use under Islamic law.

During the debates on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi reignited controversy by asserting that the land on which Antilia stands was originally Waqf property. He claimed the land was initially allocated for an orphanage and a religious school, and raised doubts over whether it was ever lawfully sold. Owaisi’s remarks have brought the long-standing issue back into public focus, with old videos resurfacing of both him and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal making similar claims about the property's intended purpose.

As per reports, the plot on which Antilia now stands was initially donated to the Waqf Board in 1986 by Kareem Bhai Ibrahim. In 2002, the land was reportedly sold to Mukesh Ambani for ₹21.5 crore. However, a Dainik Bhaskar investigation suggests that the sale may not have adhered to the legal protocols mandated by the Waqf Board.

According to Waqf regulations, such a sale would require the approval of at least two-thirds of the Board members a meeting that allegedly never occurred. The report also questioned the role of the Charity Commissioner in the deal, pointing out that only the Waqf Board is legally authorised to sanction the sale of Waqf property.

During his tenure as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis stated that his government would take appropriate action once the investigation findings were available. However, the matter has remained entangled in legal proceedings for several years. It’s also worth noting that the Maharashtra Assembly had previously made it clear that land owned by the Waqf Board cannot be sold for private use.