The central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently took a significant step by introducing sweeping changes to the Waqf Board’s work through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Marketed as a daring change, it promised improved governance, openness, and inclusivity in the religious institutions. However, several of its details caused a political and religious uproar in the nation.
Amid this uproar, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi recently made a bold claim that Mukesh Ambani’s house, ‘Antilia,’ was also made on a waqf property. The disclosure sparked a new discussion about who should actually own the land. Therefore, let’s find out what the reality is:
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Is it true that Antilia is built on Waft property?
Yes, the land on which Mukesh Ambani’s residence, Antilia, stands was originally donated by Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim. He belonged to the Khoja Muslim community in Mumbai and was a rich merchant and philanthropist, well-known for his humanitarian efforts during the British era.
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He donated his property (where Antilia presently stands) for the Currimbhoy Ebrahim Khoja Yateemkhana, an orphanage aimed to help underprivileged kids in his neighborhood. Since the land was given for a charitable purpose, it was categorized as Waqf property. It means it is prohibited from being sold or transferred without the Waqf Board’s prior consent.
How did this Waqf property become Mukesh Ambani’s residence?
The site was reportedly allotted specifically for the construction of an educational facility for Khoja children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite this, in 2002, the Waqf board-led trust contacted the charity commissioner to request authorization to sell the land. Three months later, the board received approval. Eventually, Mukesh Ambani’s commercial private company purchased the land from the charity for a total of $2.5 million.
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The alleged value of the land was 18 million US dollars. It means it was sold for less than its market value.
Why did the Maharashtra State Waqf Board issue a notice against this purchase?
The Charity Commissioner gave the trust permission to move forward with the sale. Nevertheless, even though the land was designated as Waqf property, no permission was requested from the Maharashtra State Waqf Board. This type of sale was a clear violation of Section 51 of the Waqf Act, which required the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs to approve the transaction.
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When the Waqf Board found out about the deal, it sent notification to ACPL and the trust. Following opposition to the sale from the Maharashtra government and Waqf minister Nawab Malik, a stay order was issued for the land.
At first, the Waqf board was against the purchase and even petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the trust’s decision, but the court rejected their argument. The board even reversed its opposition, and the stay order on the purchase was quickly lifted.
After the trust paid Rs. 16 lakh to the Waqf fund, the Waqf Board approved the sale by passing the resolution. However, the later CEO of the Waqf Board characterized this ratification as “mischievous” and implied procedural irregularity.
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After obtaining the required clearances, Mukesh Ambani began building “Antilia” in 2006. The BMC even gave its approval to the skyscraper’s design.
A series of PILs filed against the Waqf board challenging the land sale
But after this, the issue became more complicated. A Jalna journalist and teacher named Abdul Mateen filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2007 to contest the land transaction. He asked the court to revoke the sale and return the land to the Waqf, claiming that the land sale to Mukesh Ambani’s company was unlawful.
The situation then escalated in 2010 when the central government proposed a CBI probe. The Ministry of Minority Affairs also suggested that the CBI look into the land sale. However, the Maharashtra government postponed taking action and eventually abandoned the plan to have the CBI look into it.
Despite ongoing activist efforts and legal rumors, there was no significant public action. Antilia’s construction was finished during this period, and it is said that the Ambani family moved into the home in 2011.
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Activist Shadab Patel then filed a PIL against the land transaction. However, the Bombay High Court dismissed the PIL, stating that the petitioner had no direct interest in the subject and that there was an unexplained 14-year wait in bringing the problem to their attention. Patel and a lawyer who had gotten involved in the case were both fined ₹50,000 by the court. The court determined that the petition lacked merit.
Also read: Here’s How Staff Are Recruited For Mukesh Ambani’s Rs. 15,000 Crore Mansion, Antilia
When the Maharashtra Waqf Board admits sale was illegal
In November 2017, the Maharashtra Waqf Board’s former CEO unexpectedly filed an affidavit with the Bombay High Court. He acknowledged in his affidavit that the sale of the land was “completely illegal” and that the board had not given its approval following Section 51 of the Waqf Act. He went on to say that the board’s 2005 ratification, which came after receiving ₹16 lakh from the trust, was “mischievous” and without legal basis.
This information rekindled the debate. However, because of the High Court’s earlier dismissal and the absence of administrative or political follow-up, no real action was taken. Eventually, the dispute remained unsettled, and Mukesh Ambani continued to hold undisturbed possession of Antilia.
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What will happen to Antilia after the Waqf Amendment Act 2025?
The Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 is bringing major reforms to the administration and regulation of waqf properties in India. So, considering the intricacies of Antilia’s land, many are currently wondering whether the government’s decision will affect the possession of land.
As of right now, Antilia is the focus of no formal proceedings brought under the Waqf Amendment Act. Nonetheless, in case any party decides to challenge the property’s status, the Act’s provisions offer an arrangement that could be applied.
Legally speaking, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, presents a potential but little risk to Mukesh Ambani’s home. The Bombay High Court’s 2016 ruling to dismiss the PIL contesting the land transfer legally protects the Ambani family till a new case is brought.
However, if another PIL is filed in the future, the Ambani family will have to deal with consequences since the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 sets stronger documentation criteria and permits the Limitation Act to apply. The Waqf Board may lose its claim if they are unable to present a registered deed or if it has been out of possession for more than 12 years. On the other hand, if a valid deed is presented and a new legal challenge is made, Antilia’s status might be reconsidered.
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Finally, all we can say is that, even though there is no direct legal danger, there is a chance that the lawsuit will begin again. Although Antilia is safe for the time being, it could yet be subject to future legal scrutiny.
What do you think about this? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments section of this article.
