MUMBAI: Antilia Commercial Pvt Ltd, the Mukesh Ambani-run company whose land on Altamount Road is on the verge of being reclaimed by the Wakf Board, has asked the custodian of Muslim religious property to hear its version before taking any action.

Antilia is building a 27-storey skyscraper residential complex for the Reliance Industries chairman on the 4,532 sq mt plot - a deal which was subsequently alleged to be illegal.In its reply to a notice issued by the Board, which laid claim to the property under section 52 of Wakf Act, Antilia has requested that its version be heard before any decision is taken on the issue, official sources said here today.The reply was received yesterday by the Board, which had issued the notice on July 5, informed sources told PTI.

The state government had on July 3 dashed off a letter to the Board, drawing its attention to the findings of an inquiry committee which had found "truth in charges that the Altamount plot deal was illegal".The government had directed the Board to proceed "as per section 52 of the Wakf Act against Antilia," the sources said. Section 52 pertains to acquiring Wakf property in contravention of provisions of Section 51 of the Act, the sources said.Antilia had acquired the land from Currimbhoy Orphanage Trust in 2002, before the state Wakf Board was set up.

After the Board was created, the orphanage Trust had paid a Wakf fee of Rs 16 lakh to the Board on account of the deal.