JUDGMENT

1. Heard Mr.Anjan Prasad Sahu, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Mr. Lenin Hijam, learned Addl. AG, appearing for the respondents No. 1 & 2, Mr. HS. Paonam, learned senior counsel appearing for the respondents No. 5, 8, 9,11& 12 and Md. Rabi Khan, respondent No. 7 appearing in-person.

The present writ petition has been filed assailing the entire process for constitution of the 7th Waqf Board, Manipur, as well as the election of the Chairperson of the Board coupled with a prayer for directing the State respondents to constitute the Waqf Board afresh as per law.

2. It has been pleaded by the petitioners in their writ petition that the entire process of constitution of the Board and the appointment of the members of the 7th Waqf Board including the Chairman is liable to be quashed and set aside on the following grounds:-

'(a) constitution of the 7th Waqf Board, Manipur was not published in the official gazette which is mandatory as per Section 14 (9) of the Waqf Act, 1995.

'(b) Two members of the Board should be women which is also not included in the formation of the Board. There is no exception to this requirement which is mandatory.

'(c) The appointment of Responden