Raipur:
 The big announcements being made in the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board regarding the investigation of fraud, illegal encroachments and fake registration in Waqf properties worth billions of rupees are proving to be mere paper work.

In June 2025, Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Salim Raj met with Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and openly claimed to have ordered a CBI investigation into 5,723 illegally occupied properties across the state (estimated market value of ₹5,000 crore), including properties worth ₹500 crore in Raipur district. However, a written response received under the Right to Information (RTI) has debunked this entire administrative claim.
RTI Reveal: There is no CBI investigation file in the office.

Under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Waqf Board was asked to provide copies of files, case lists, and certified documents to be handed over to the CBI. In response, the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board

The office officially wrote: "No documents or files relating to the information sought under the above subject are available in the office of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board." This response makes it clear that the claims of freeing Waqf properties across the state from fraud and handing over the matter to central agencies have been mere rhetoric.

The complete mathematics of the fraud: In the words of statistics, more than 2,000 properties are occupied, but only Rs 5 lakh is being received as rent
. According to the statements of Dr. Salim Raj, there are about 2,000 properties in the state which are occupied by tenants but are not paying the rent. While the board should have received a revenue of Rs 200 crore annually, it is getting only Rs 5 lakh. The board had issued notices to 562 encroachers, out of which 125 sought time and 437 were served final notice on 30 May 2025. The chairman had also said that the board is not satisfied with the replies received from across the state including Raipur and all the properties will be freed.

The big question: Why hasn't the file moved forward?
Local newspapers also highlighted the decision to send a proposal to the central government through the state government. However, an RTI has revealed that the process of drafting and submitting a proposal for a CBI investigation to the government hasn't even begun. The question now arises: is this massive Rs 5,000 crore scam being covered up, or is the investigation simply a waste of time?