Malanggad (Thane district): Illegal donation collection by a Muslim organisation !

Unauthorised collection of donations despite absence of Waqf registration
Demand to register cheating cases against self-appointed trustees

Thane, 2 February – The Waqf registration of the Shri Pir Haji Malang Saheb Dargah Trust (E-60) was cancelled by the Waqf Tribunal on 13 March 2025. Despite this, donations are still being collected at Shri Malanggad. Self-appointed trustees are allegedly extorting money from devotees by using receipt books bearing the old Waqf registration number. Devotees have stated that this is not merely cheating of devotees, but a direct violation of the law and financial misappropriation. In this matter, activists of the Shri Malanggad movement, Mr Sameer Bhandari and Mr Parag Teli, have lodged a complaint at the Hill Line Police Station.

The complainants stated :

1. Even after the Waqf registration was cancelled, the concerned trust has no legal right to accept donations. Continuing this activity amounts to openly defying the Charity Commissioner, the Maharashtra Government, and judicial orders !

2. Despite repeated complaints in the past, the police have failed to take concrete action, raising serious doubts about the role of the police administration. Does inaction not amount to indirect support ?

3. During the Shri Malanggad yatra, thousands of devotees visit for darshan. Through such illegal donation collection, the faith of devotees is being exploited. An immediate inquiry should be conducted against the self-appointed trustees and cheating cases should be registered against them.

Malang devotees’ wish will be fulfilled by justice itself ! – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Thane – As every year, the Shri Malang Yatra was held on 2 February at the sacred site of Malanggad in the district. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde performed the aarti of Malang Baba at the fort. After the aarti, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “For many years, a court case related to Malanggad has been ongoing. Very soon, justice itself will fulfil the wish of Malang devotees.”

At Malanggad, there originally existed a temple of Swami Machhindranath of the Nath Sampradaya, which was later converted into a dargah by Muslims. Hindus are fighting a legal battle to reclaim this temple. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde was speaking in this context.

Editorial Perspectives

This incident at Malanggad is nothing but a direct challenge to the rule of law. When even court orders are being undermined, police officers who remain inactive should be dismissed !