KARNATAKA BOARD OF WAKF vs GOVT. OF INDIA — C.A. No. 16899/1996

Summary: Karnataka Board of Wakf v. Government of India (C.A. 16899/1996) The Supreme Court dismissed the Karnataka Board of Wakf's appeal, affirming that the Government of India validly owns three ancient monument properties (mosques and a water tower) in Bijapur under the Ancient Monuments Act, 1904, and that the Wakf Board's 1976 notification declaring them wakf property was null and void. The Court rejected the Wakf Board's historical claims lacking documentary evidence and held that the adverse possession alternative plea was unsustainable since Government obtained lawful title under statutory law. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.