Who was Kareem Bhai Ibrahim? Man who donated land for orphanage, later sold by.., now occupied by Mukesh Ambani for…, Ambanis purchased land for Rs…

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Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's Antilia (File)
Antilia is one of the most expensive and largest private homes in the world. The iconic residence is owned by Mukesh Ambani. The 27-story skyscraper has extravagant amenities such as multiple swimming pools, a helipad, a health spa, a 50-seat movie theater, and extensive gardens. Antilia is named after a mythical island and represents extravagant luxury and architectural perfection. The Mumbai home, which is valued at approximately Rs 15,000 crore, is not just a symbol of wealth but also explains the grandeur of Ambani's lifestyle.
What if we said that this 27-floor iconic skyscraper, owned by the head of Reliance Industries, was built on top of land that was designated for charity or religious education? Yes, the very plot that now houses one of the richest men in the world was once intended to serve orphans and the underprivileged, according to a viral video by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.
The land that currently sits under Antilia has a background just as tumultuous as any courtroom story. This land was never intended to be luxurious; it was only ever donated for charitable purposes. In 1895, a rich ship owner named Kareem Bhai Ibrahim donated the land to build an orphanage called the Currimbhoy Ebrahim Khoja Yateemkhana. It was an orphanage designed to house and educate orphaned children, but it was also expected to teach religious and moral lessons.
In 1986, news reports state the land was transferred to a trust owned by the Waqf Board, a charitable body looking after Muslim religious endowments. The trust was created for the public good, in that it provided accommodation and education to orphaned children.
In 2002, the Waqf Board made the decision to sell off the land – this was the beginning of the controversy. The land for the Waqf was valued at approximately USD 18 million, but it was sold to a commercial entity associated with Mukesh Ambani's family for just USD 2.5 million. The sale was vigorously opposed by both the Waqf Board and several local politicians, who would go on to insist that a piece of land that had been held for charitable purposes should not be considered property that may be sold or transferred to a private party, especially at such a deep discount. Ultimately the deal was approved despite these objections and Antilia moved to construction.