By Linda Kwanjana
Authorities have been alerted to possible irregularities in the transfer of property Title Number Blantyre East 15, involving trustees of Mahli Trust, businessman Mahmood Azhar Chaudhrey and his wife, Neelam Azhar Mahmood.
According to documents reviewed, the property, currently held by Nirala Kautilal Rejavi and Manjula Guladbas Devraj, is in the process of being transferred to Mahli Trust.
The trustees, according to a whistleblower who reported to Fiscal Police, are alleged to have presented themselves as Malawian citizens, supported by national identity cards, in order to secure consent for the transaction.
Concerns have been raised that Neelam Azhar Mahmood may not be a Malawian citizen but rather a British national residing in Malawi on a permanent residence permit.
If confirmed, this would bar her from owning property in Malawi either directly or through a trust. Investigators are also examining claims that her identity card was not enclosed in the application for consent, despite references to it by her lawyers.
Questions have been raised about whether such documentation, if it exists, may have been fraudulently obtained.
The allegations, submitted to authorities on July 1, 2026, suggest that the property transfer process may have relied on false information provided to a public officer.
Officials are expected to probe the authenticity of the citizenship claims and determine whether the trustees acted in violation of Malawi’s property and citizenship laws.
Under Malawi’s amended Land Laws (2022), foreign nationals can no longer own private or freehold land exclusively for personal use or speculation. Foreigners may only acquire and hold land for recognised investment purposes, and they must form a partnership or joint venture with a Malawian citizen to do so.
The matter adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding businessman Chaudhry, who has previously faced accusations of misrepresentation in citizenship and diplomatic status claims.
