How do I find out whether a specific property in Delhi is registered as waqf — and is RTI the only way?

The Delhi Waqf Board is required under the Waqf Act, 1995 to maintain a Waqf Register that is a public document. You can: (1) visit the Delhi Waqf Board office at 10, Hailey Road, New Delhi and request inspection of the Waqf Register for the relevant survey number or locality — this is a public document and inspection cannot ordinarily be refused; (2) file an RTI application with the PIO, Delhi Waqf Board, asking whether a specific property (by address or survey number) is registered as waqf, the registration number, and the name of the mutawalli. RTI is more reliable than a physical visit because it creates a written, official record with a legally binding 30-day response obligation. This is particularly important for property buyers doing due diligence — a property encumbered as waqf cannot be sold privately, and the buyer's title would be void.

Waqf land in my locality has been encroached upon and the Board is not acting. How does RTI help?

Encroachment on waqf land is a widespread problem in Delhi, and the Delhi Waqf Board's inaction in many cases has been criticised by courts and the Central Waqf Council. RTI can: (1) establish whether the Board has actually received an encroachment complaint — if the record says no complaint was received, it documents that the complaint submission process needs to be done formally in writing; (2) if a complaint was received, establish what action the Board took, whether eviction proceedings were initiated under Section 54 of the Waqf Act, 1995, and the current stage; (3) if the Board has taken no action, the RTI response (or silence) becomes documentary evidence of inaction. This evidence can be used to: (a) file a complaint with the Central Waqf Council (CWC), which has oversight powers over state Waqf Boards; (b) approach the Waqf Tribunal; (c) file a writ petition before the Delhi High Court for a mandamus directing the Board to initiate proceedings. RTI converts the inaction from an informal complaint into a legal record.

The mutawalli of a waqf appears to be misappropriating waqf income. What can RTI establish?

Under the Waqf Act, 1995, every mutawalli is required to submit annual accounts to the Delhi Waqf Board. RTI can establish: (1) whether annual income and expenditure accounts for the waqf have been submitted by the mutawalli to the Board for each year — and if not, whether the Board has taken action for non-submission; (2) the income recorded (from rents, produce, or other sources) and whether it matches what would reasonably be expected from the property; (3) whether income has been disbursed for the declared waqf purpose (mauquf alayhi) — for example, a mosque, madrasa, or graveyard maintenance; (4) whether the Board has conducted any inspection or audit of the waqf's accounts; (5) whether any complaint about misappropriation has been received by the Board and what action was taken. This information, if it reveals irregularities, supports a complaint to the Board for removal of the mutawalli under Section 64 of the Waqf Act, 1995, or a complaint to the Waqf Tribunal.

What is the difference between the Delhi Waqf Board and the Central Waqf Council — which one should I file RTI with?

These are two distinct public authorities with different jurisdictions. The Delhi Waqf Board is a statutory body constituted under the Waqf Act, 1995, under the GNCTD Department of Minorities. It administers and regulates waqf properties within the National Capital Territory of Delhi — the Waqf Register for Delhi properties, mutawalli appointments, income accounts, and encroachment proceedings all fall under the Delhi Waqf Board. File RTI on rti.delhi.gov.in; second appeal goes to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC). The Central Waqf Council (CWC) is a Central Government body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs that provides oversight, guidance, and coordination for all State Waqf Boards across India. It does not directly manage individual waqf properties in Delhi. File RTI about CWC on rtionline.gov.in (Ministry of Minority Affairs → Central Waqf Council); second appeal goes to the Central Information Commission (CIC). As a rule: if your query is about a specific property, mutawalli, or encroachment in Delhi, file with the Delhi Waqf Board. If your query is about national waqf statistics, the CWC's audit findings of State Waqf Boards, or model waqf management policies, file with the CWC.

What if the Delhi Waqf Board does not respond to my RTI within 30 days?

File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the Delhi Waqf Board within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. If the FAA's response is absent, inadequate, or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act within 90 days. The DIC is established under Section 15 of the RTI Act and has jurisdiction over all Delhi State public authorities — including the Delhi Waqf Board, which is a GNCTD body under the Department of Minorities. Do not file the second appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC); CIC has no jurisdiction over the Delhi Waqf Board.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with Delhi Waqf Board — Waqf Property Records, Mutawalli and Encroachment

Delhi State

How to File RTI with Delhi Waqf Board — Waqf Property Records, Mutawalli and Encroachment

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the Delhi Waqf Board (GNCTD Department of Minorities) for waqf property registration details, mutawalli appointment and accounts, encroachment complaints and action taken, beneficiary rights, and waqf survey records in Delhi. Note: for Central Waqf Council (national oversight body), file on rtionline.gov.in (CIC). Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryGovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)

Address RTI ToPIO, Delhi Waqf Board, 10, Hailey Road, New Delhi – 110001

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rti.delhi.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Delhi Waqf Board is a statutory body constituted under the Waqf Act, 1995, functioning under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) through the Department of Minorities. It is responsible for the administration, management, and protection of waqf properties in Delhi — properties permanently dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Muslim personal law.

A waqf is a permanent dedication of movable or immovable property by a Muslim (the waqif) for purposes recognised as pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim personal law. Once created, a waqf property cannot ordinarily be sold, transferred, or encumbered — it must be used in perpetuity for the declared purpose. The Delhi Waqf Board maintains the official Waqf Register for all such properties in Delhi, oversees the appointment and conduct of mutawallis (property managers), and is responsible for protecting waqf land from encroachment.

The Delhi Waqf Board is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. Citizens have the right to seek information about waqf property registrations, mutawalli appointments and accounts, encroachment complaints and action taken, and the Board's discharge of its statutory duties.

Delhi Waqf Board vs. Central Waqf Council

A common source of confusion is the distinction between the Delhi Waqf Board (a Delhi State body) and the Central Waqf Council (a Central Government body). They have different jurisdictions, RTI portals, and second appeal authorities.

Feature	Delhi Waqf Board	Central Waqf Council (CWC)
Type of body	Delhi State statutory body	Central Government statutory body
Governing Ministry / Department	GNCTD Department of Minorities	Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India
Jurisdiction	Waqf properties within NCT of Delhi	National oversight and coordination of all State Waqf Boards
What it does	Maintains Waqf Register for Delhi; appoints mutawallis; receives encroachment complaints; audits waqf accounts	Advises Central and State Governments on waqf matters; publishes national waqf statistics; audits State Waqf Boards
RTI filing portal	rti.delhi.gov.in	rtionline.gov.in (Ministry of Minority Affairs → Central Waqf Council)
Second appeal body	Delhi Information Commission (DIC) — Section 15, RTI Act	Central Information Commission (CIC)

Use this guide for the Delhi Waqf Board. If your query is about the CWC's oversight functions — national waqf statistics, CWC audit reports on State Waqf Boards, or model waqf management policies — file on rtionline.gov.in and note that the second appeal goes to CIC, not DIC.

Common RTI Use Cases

Issue	What to Ask	What to Expect
Is a specific property waqf?	Registration status of property at address / survey number in the Waqf Register	Registration number, waqf name, waqif name, declared purpose — or confirmation that it is not registered
Mutawalli identity and appointment	Name, appointment basis, term, and copy of appointment order for the mutawalli of waqf name	Official appointment details and order; reveals whether appointment is per waqf deed or Board order
Waqf income and expenditure	Annual accounts submitted by the mutawalli for waqf name for the last three years	Annual income, expenditure, and utilisation details; reveals whether accounts were even submitted to the Board
Encroachment complaint status	Whether a complaint about encroachment on property was received and the action taken	Complaint receipt confirmation, proceedings initiated, and current status — or Board's confirmation of inaction
Area waqf survey records	List of properties in locality recorded as waqf in the Board's survey register	Survey list with waqf names and mutawalli details; useful for due diligence in property-heavy disputes
De-notification or removal from register	Whether property was de-notified from the Waqf Register, the legal basis, and copy of order	De-notification order and legal provision relied upon — or confirmation the property remains waqf

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Property registration status: Whether a specific property (by address or survey/registration number) is entered in the Delhi Waqf Board's Waqf Register — registration number, date, waqf name, waqif name, and declared beneficiary purpose (mauquf alayhi).
Mutawalli details: Name, address, appointment basis (waqf deed / Board order / court order), date and term of appointment, and a copy of the appointment order for the mutawalli of a specific waqf.
Income and expenditure accounts: Annual accounts submitted by the mutawalli to the Board for the last three financial years — income received, expenditure incurred, and whether the income has been utilised for the declared waqf purpose; and whether the Board has conducted any inspection or audit of these accounts.
Encroachment complaint and action taken: Whether any complaint about encroachment on a specific waqf property has been received by the Board; details of proceedings initiated (including whether proceedings under Section 54 of the Waqf Act, 1995 were initiated); and the current status of such proceedings.
Waqf survey records: The list of properties in a specified locality or area recorded as waqf in the Board's survey register — survey number, waqf name, and mutawalli name for each entry.
De-notification basis: Whether a specific property has been de-notified or removed from the Waqf Register, the legal basis for de-notification (provision of the Waqf Act, 1995, Waqf Tribunal order, or court order relied upon), and a copy of the de-notification order.

Where to File

The Delhi Waqf Board is a GNCTD body. File your RTI on rti.delhi.gov.in — do not file on rtionline.gov.in, which is for Central Government bodies.

Go to rti.delhi.gov.in and log in or register
Select Department of Minorities as the department, then select Delhi Waqf Board as the public authority
Draft your application — include the property address or survey number, the waqf name (if known), and your specific questions
Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt (attach a copy of the BPL card)
Submit and note your registration number for tracking

If you are unsure whether to select the Department of Minorities or the Delhi Waqf Board directly, select the Delhi Waqf Board — it has its own PIO at 10, Hailey Road, New Delhi – 110001.

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the Delhi Waqf Board within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA's response is absent, inadequate, or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. The DIC is established under Section 15 of the RTI Act and has jurisdiction over all Delhi State public authorities — the Delhi Waqf Board is a GNCTD body, and its second appeal always goes to the DIC, not the CIC. The Central Information Commission has no jurisdiction over the Delhi Waqf Board.

The DIC can direct the PIO to provide information, impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the PIO under Section 20 of the RTI Act for unjustified refusal or delay, and recommend disciplinary action.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Delhi Waqf Board,
10, Hailey Road, New Delhi – 110001

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Waqf Property Registration, Mutawalli Details and Encroachment Records

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Property / Waqf details:
  Property Address / Survey Number: [Full address or survey/registration number]
  Name of Waqf (if known): [Waqf name, e.g. "Waqf of [Waqif Name]" or as recorded in the Waqf Register]
  Area / Locality: [Locality, Delhi]
  Waqf Registration Number (if known): [as assigned by the Delhi Waqf Board]

Information sought:

1. Whether the property at [Address / Survey Number] is registered as a waqf in the Delhi Waqf Board's Waqf Register — and if yes, the registration number, date of registration, name of the waqf, name of the waqif (dedicator), and the declared purpose (mauquf alayhi / beneficiary purpose) as recorded in the Register.

2. The name, address, and appointment details of the current Mutawalli (manager) of the above waqf — including: (a) the basis of appointment (waqf deed / Board order / court order); (b) the date of appointment; (c) the term of appointment; and (d) a copy of the appointment order issued by the Delhi Waqf Board, if applicable.

3. The income and expenditure accounts of the above waqf for the last three financial years — including annual income received, expenditure incurred, and whether the income is being utilised for the declared waqf purpose as required under the Waqf Act, 1995.

4. Whether the Delhi Waqf Board has received any complaint or notice regarding encroachment on the above waqf property — if yes: (a) the date and details of each complaint; (b) the action taken by the Board on each complaint; (c) whether any eviction / removal proceedings were initiated; and (d) the current status of such proceedings.

5. Whether the above property has been de-notified or removed from the Delhi Waqf Board's Waqf Register at any point — if yes, the date of de-notification, the legal basis (provision of the Waqf Act, 1995 or court/tribunal order relied upon), and a copy of the de-notification order.

6. The waqf survey records for properties in [Locality / Area], Delhi — specifically, the list of properties in that locality recorded as waqf in the Board's survey register, along with the survey number, registered waqf name, and mutawalli name for each.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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