Justice A.V. Sesha Sai of Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Government of Telangana and Secretary to Minorities Welfare Department to take a decision within six weeks for constitution of separate Wakf Board for Shia Muslims.
He was dealing with a petition filed by Anjuman-E-Alavi Shia Imamia Ithna Ashari (Akhbari) represented by Moulana Waheduddin Hyder. He said that as per Wakf Act, a separate Wakf Board for Shias has to be constituted. Though many representations were made, there is no response from the State Government and the Minority Welfare Department. As per the Wakf Act, it is mandatory for the government to constitute separate board for Shias wherever 15 per cent of total Wakf properties in the State belong to them. Senior Counsel P. Venugopal brought to the notice of the court that in Telangana there are 33,900 wakf properties, out which 11,056 are Ashoorkhanas, which constitute 33 per cent, and belong to Shia community.
The judge ordered notices and directed the respondents to take a decision on constitution of separate board for Shias within six weeks from date of receipt of interim order.
