MP: Waqf Board writes to Saif's sister Saba Sultan over Hajj pilgrimage

If Auqaf-e-Shahi Mutavalli (manager) Saba Sultan had taken permission from the Saudi government, then Hajj pilgrims to Mecca and Madina would have saved Rs 40,000, said Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board. As there are no responses for notices, a letter has been sent to her this time.

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) : The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has written a letter to Saba Sultan, sister of film actor Saif Ali Khan, for the second time in a week with regard to the discharge of her responsibilities as Mutavalli (Manager) of Auqaf-e-Shahi. The Waqf authorities say that a letter has been written to Saba Sultan as she is not performing her responsibility towards mitigating the financial burden on Mecca pilgrims, sources said.

Saba Sultan is also the daughter of cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and film actress Sharmila Tagore. "We had already sent the notice. But now a letter has been written to her due to the matter of not taking permission (Tafari)," said MP Waqf Board's chairman Sanawwar Patel. In a conversation with ETV India, he said that if the Mutavalli (manager) Sabah Sultan had taken permission from the Saudi government on time, then about 40 thousand rupees would have been saved for the pilgrims going to Mecca and Madina.

Sanawwar said that when an angry delegation met them, it was understood that there was gross negligence. After this a letter was written to Auqaf-e-Shahi. The problem comes in Mecca because only 300 people get permission there. Earlier, by sending a notice to her on May 8, she was asked to reply within 7 days and it was alleged that she was not discharging her responsibility properly. Significantly, when there was Nawabi rule in Bhopal, the then Nawabs had built 5 Haj Houses in Madina and two in Mecca for the Hajis to stay.

A letter was written to the Waqf Board to make free arrangements for people's stay and food here. But every year permission has to be taken from the Saudi government. Due to this, about 50 thousand rupees are saved by combining both the places of the Hajis. But for the last two-three years they are not taking permission, due to which the Hajis have to spend an extra Rs 50,000.

Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board appointed Saba Sultan as Mutavalli (Manager) of Auqaf-e-Shahi on September 30, 2011. Waqf means land donated for religious purposes. Saba Sultan is not paying attention even after repeated letters from the board, sources said. Therefore, allegations have been levelled against her for being negligent towards responsibility and not taking an interest in the work. The board has written that they neither inspect the Waqf properties nor has there been any increase in their income from them.