Govt takes control of Waqf Board, sparks row

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has issued a notification to "supersede" the Delhi Waqf Board for six months, transferring all its powers and duties to the divisional commissioner and secretary (revenue) A Anbarsu. While the move has triggered a controversy, the state has defended its notification citing the move was necessary to streamline functioning before a new board is reconstituted.
In the notification dated October 10, it is stated that "as per Section 99(I) of the Waqf Act, 1995, the government supersedes the Delhi Waqf Board with immediate effect for a period of six months." It adds that "in accordance with Section 99(2)(b) all the powers and duties will now be exercised and performed by the secretary (revenue)."
Rana Parween Siddiqui, chairperson of the board, said, "The notification superseding Delhi Waqf Board despite the status quo order by the high court is a clear case of contempt of court." She told a news agency that she has already "filed an appeal in the HC seeking quashing of the notification. The court will hear the case on October 30."
"I received the notification on October 15 and stopped going to the Waqf Board office," said Rana. She has also filed a writ petition in the HC for notification of her election as chairperson of the board by Delhi government. She was elected chairperson in a meeting of members of the board on January 20. The court in its order on April 29 had directed Delhi government to maintain status quo vis-a-vis the position of the chairperson till further hearing.
Sources in the chief minister's office said that the move was aimed at streamlining processes by putting an administrator till the new board is reconstituted. This need was felt as there were complaints about functioning of the board where five out of the seven members appointed by the former Congress regime have already resigned.