Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

New Delhi :

In a landmark action ensuring communal harmony, the 125-year-old Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala dispute between two breakaway Shia Dawoodi Jamaats in Nagpur, which had dragged through courts for decades, has finally been resolved peacefully through mediation by the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission.

The century-old conflict, rooted in religious succession and property issues, was settled in just 14 days, marking one of the swiftest and most historic arbitrations in the history of Maharashtra. The Commission’s chairperson, Pyare Khan, who enjoys the rank of the Minister of State, played a pivotal role in brokering peace between the two warring sects.

The case had a long judicial history and it was argued by some of India’s most renowned lawyers and heard by eminent judges. Interestingly, it reached a conclusion in only two hearings before Khan, who persuaded both the parties to arrive at an amicable understanding. The final order, based on a settlement deed signed on January 21, 2025, was officially issued on November 11, 2025.

The roots of the Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala conflict trace back to 1840, following the death of Syedna Badruddin Saheb, the 46th Dai of the Dawoodi Bohra sect. Disagreement over his successor led to the formation of two factions, known as Atba-e-Malak Jamaat and Mehdi Bagh Institution, by Maulana Malak Saheb and his followers in Nagpur in 1891.

After Maulana Malak Saheb’s death in 1899, the institution split into Mehdi Bagh and Chimthanawala groups. The Mehdi Bagh sect recognised Maulana Badruddin Ghulam Husain Malak Saheb as its spiritual head, while the Chimthanawala group followed Maulana Abdul Qadir Chimthanawala. Over time, disputes over religious leadership, property ownership, and financial control escalated, with both sides accusing each other of mismanagement, religious misconduct, and inciting communal tension.

The contested property, estimated to be worth over Rs. 4,000 crore, became the focal point of multiple lawsuits across decades in the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. The dispute witnessed some of India’s most eminent advocates representing both camps. On behalf of the Mehdi Bagh group, legal stalwarts such as Fali Nariman, Kapil Sibal, P. Chidambaram, Uday Lalit, K.K. Venugopal, Gopal Subramanium, and others appeared. Representing the Chimthanawala faction were Soli Sorabjee, Andhyarujina, C. Sundaram, and Rohinton Nariman, among several others.

Under the agreement reached through the Commission’s mediation, the property listed under Special Civil Suit No. 143/1967 was declared as Mehdi Bagh Waqf, to be administered by Maulana Amiruddin Malak Saheb. Maulana Abde Ali Chimthanawala will manage the Dawoodi Atba-e-Malak Wakf, Atba-e-Humayun, and Baitul Aman trusts.

While both sects agreed not to interfere in each other’s religious affairs, all pending litigations across the country will be withdrawn by mutual consent. Declaring the settlement as a “historic milestone in communal harmony,” Khan said this was not just the end of a legal dispute but a triumph of peace and understanding.

“The bitterness of 125 years has been replaced by brotherhood. The Maharashtra Minorities Commission has proven that any conflict can be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect,” Khan said. The resolution of the 125-year-old Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala dispute stands as a remarkable example of restorative justice and interfaith harmony, bringing closure to one of Nagpur’s and India’s oldest community conflicts.

The case reached the Commission after 73 members of the Mehdi Bagh institution filed a complaint against Abde Ali Chimthanawala and others, alleging violations of religious, financial, and personal rights. The first hearing took place on January 7, 2025, attended by representatives from both sides — four members from Mehdi Bagh and advocates R.S. Singh and Abdullah Khan representing the Chimthanawala group.

Following Khan’s suggestion to seek reconciliation, both parties returned on January 21, 2025, agreeing to a mutual settlement. The final order was officially issued on November 11, 2025, bringing closure to a dispute that had divided the Dawoodi Bohra community for more than a century.

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Sadique Razzak Chimthanawala, son of Maulana Abde Ali Saheb Chimthanawala, said: “We are content with the settlement deed and grateful that this long-standing dispute has ended peacefully.”

Afzal Mehdi, a member of the Mahdi Bagh legal team, echoed the sentiment, stating, “This is a historic day for both communities. Our relations with the Chimthanawala group have improved, and we are confident that such disputes will not arise again. We sincerely thank Minorities Commission chief Pyare Khan for his efforts.”

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> National Interest / by India Tomorrow Correspondent / November 29th, 2025