Telangana High Court reserves order on wakf chief’s case

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on a petition challenging the continuation of Mr Mohammed Saleem as chairperson of Wakf Board, as he had ceased to be a member of the Legislature.

Justice A. Rajasheker Reddy reserved the orders after hearing the arguments of Mr Saleem’s counsel, the Wakf Board and the petitioner, Mr Sultan Quaan of Sanathnagar, who urged the court to restrain Mr Saleem fr-om functioning as Wakf Board chairperson.

Mr Quershi, counsel for the petitioner, said Mr Saleem had ceased to be member and chairman and member of the Wakf Board, as he was elected under the category of ‘members of the state legislature’ in 2017, and his tenure in the Legislative Council had expired on March 29.

Mr Prakash Reddy, senior counsel, representing Mr Saleem said the right of his client to continue as a member of the Wakf Board was protected under Section 15 of the Wakf Act, wherein he is entitled to continue for five years from the date of his election to the board.

Advocate General B.S Prasad and counsel M.A. Mujeeb representing the Wakf Board submitted that the intent of the statute was clear that expiry of the term of a Muslim member as MLC does not lead to a deemed vacation of his membership of the Wakf Board.