Telangana HC orders removal of Wakf board CEO
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Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court has directed the state government and the state Waqf Board to forthwith remove its chief executive officer and appoint a full-time official within four months, duly complying with Section 23 of the Waqf Act 1995.
The court made it clear that the incumbent CEO Md. Asadullah had to be removed from the post as his appointment was contrary to the rules and his conduct was quite unbecoming and questionable. It was also clarified that as a temporary arrangement Shaik Liyakat Husain should function as the in-charge CEO. The court made it clear that this interregnum arrangement does not result in violation of Section 23 of the Act.
Justice Nagesh Bheempaka of the High Court was dealing with a contempt case filed by Mohammed Akbar, a Golconda resident, who said that Asadullah was a special grade deputy collector, which is below the rank of deputy secretary to government, and his appointment was not in conformity with Section 23 of the Act.
He brought to the notice of the court that the Waqf Board had on an earlier occasion expressed dissatisfaction with his functioning that resulted in a huge loss. The board passed a resolution in February 2017 removing Asadullah from the position of CEO and repatriated him to his parent department. As such, bringing him back to the same post was not in accordance with law.
In its counter, the board said that as there was a dearth of Muslim officers, they had ratified the appointment of Asadullah as CEO.