Bada Pahad Dargah Donation Box Looted Under Waqf Board Watch!
- Dargah Theft Sparks Outrage: Devotees Demand Action After Donation Box Looted at Hazrat Syed Saadullah Hussaini (RA) Shrine in Nizamabad
Waqf Board | Hyderabad / Nizamabad, August 2, 2025: In a shocking incident that has stirred deep concern among devotees, a donation box at the Dargah of Hazrat Syed Saadullah Hussaini (RA) located on Bada Pahad in Jalalpur village, Varni Mandal, was broken into and looted by unknown miscreants late last night.
The theft, which occurred under the nose of the Telangana State Waqf Board‘s ongoing supervision, has raised serious questions about security lapses and mismanagement at one of the most visited religious sites in the Nizamabad district.
Waqf Board | Donation Box Looted Under Waqf Board Watch:
Despite the Dargah being managed directly by the Waqf Board for the past six months, the lack of a permanent on-site representative has created a leadership vacuum. On last Friday night, unidentified persons reportedly broke open a donation box situated near the horse statue on the hilltop, making off with an unspecified amount of cash.
Waqf Inspector Mohammed Saddam confirmed the theft and noted that there hasn’t been any official counting of the collected donations for the past two to three months, making it difficult to assess the exact loss, though the amount is believed to be substantial. The incident has shocked both caretakers and devotees, especially given the site’s round-the-clock activity.
Recurring Complaints, No Corrective Measures:
This isn’t the first time the Dargah has come under scrutiny. Despite being a major spiritual destination attracting devotees from Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, the shrine has been plagued by:
- Allegations of forced collections for religious services like fatiha khwani and chadar offerings
- Lack of basic amenities for visitors
- Disputes over revenue and contracts
- Physical intimidation and misconduct by staff or contractors
Many devotees claim that the present mismanagement mirrors the irregularities seen when private contractors handled operations. Notably, a ₹4.70 crore annual tender was awarded earlier this year, but legal disputes and internal collusion led to a court stay, after which the Waqf Board assumed direct control.
However, even under its watch, complaints of extortion-like practices and physical harassment continue to emerge, with devotees being charged unofficially for spiritual services that were meant to be freely given.
Crores Collected, But Devotees Left in Poor Conditions:
According to sources, the shrine generates several crores of rupees annually, but less than 10% of the income is reportedly spent on maintenance or facilities. Visitors face difficulties due to:
- Poor sanitation
- Lack of clean drinking water
- Inadequate accommodation
- Security vulnerabilities
Even as large crowds, including non-Muslim devotees, visit the site with deep reverence, they are often mistreated or overcharged, leading many to vow never to return. Such behavior, according to observers, hurts communal harmony and erodes trust in religious institutions.
Devotees Demand Immediate Waqf Intervention:
The theft has added fuel to long-standing grievances, prompting strong demands from the public for the Waqf Board to:
- Appoint full-time, accountable staff
- Install surveillance systems and increase security
- Ensure transparent financial accounting of donations
- Ban forced collections and harassment
- Improve basic facilities for pilgrims
“This place has been a symbol of unity and devotion for decades. If the authorities don’t act now, not only will the sanctity of the shrine be lost, but so will the trust of the people,” said a concerned local devotee.
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