WP(C) No. 737 of 2021

Page 1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR

AT IMPHAL

WP (C) No. 373 of 2021

1. Mufti Alsam Khan, aged about 36 years, S/O Mohd. Abdur Rashid,

resident of Santhel Litan Makhong, P.O. & P.S. Mayang Imphal,

District Kakching, Manipur, Pin-795132.

2. Abdul Manan, aged about 41 years, S/O (L) Md. Ali Amjad,

resident of Lilong Bazar, P.O. & P.S. Lilong, District Thoubal,

Manipur-795130.

3. Y. Ruhida Shahni, aged about 32 years, D/O Md. Cherak Ali,

resident of Khergao Awang Leikai near Cambridge School, P.O.

Singjamei, P.S. Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur-795008.

... PETITIONER/S

-Versus -

1.

The State of Manipur through the Principal Secretary/Secretary

(Minority Affairs) Govt. of Manipur, Secretariat building, P.O. &

P.S. Imphal, District Imphal West, Manipur, Pin-795001.

2.

The Director, Minority Affairs, Govt. of Manipur, Office of the

Directorate of Minority Affairs, 1^st Floor, South Block, Secured

Office Complex, A.T. Line, Imphal, Manipur-795001.

3.

Md. Fajur Rahim, MLA, resident of Irong Chesaba Salam

Achouba, P.O., P.S. Mayang Imphal, District Thoubal, Manipur-

795132.

4.

Y. Antas Khan, MLA, resident of Haoreibi Mayai Leikai, P.O. &

P.S. Lilong and District Thoubal, Manipur, Pin-795130.

5.

Md. Abdul Nasir, resident of Lilong Chaobok, Mairenkhun, P.O. &

P.S. Lilong and District Thoubal, Manipur-795130.

6.

Shri M.H. Khan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur,

Secretariat Building, Babupara, P.O. & P.S. Imphal, Imphal West

District, Manipur-795001.

7.

Md. Rabi Khan, resident of Minuthong Golapati near Tanky,

Imphal, Imphal East District, Manipur-795001.

8.

Mohammad Azad Khan, resident of Khomidok Koubak Houbi,

Pangei, Imphal East District, Manipur-795114.

LHAINE

ICHON

G

HAOKIP

Digitally

signed by

LHAINEICHO

NG HAOKIP

Date:

2022.01.18

16:14:15

+05'30'

WP(C) No. 737 of 2021

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9.

Alhaj Md. Iqbal Ahmed, Lilong Haoreibi Chandakhong, P.O. & P.S.

Lilong, District Thoubal, Manipur-795130.

10. Md. Hafiz Quayamuddin, resident of Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi,

P.O. & P.S. Lilong, Thoubal District, Manipur-795130.

11. Md. Asker Ali Makakmayum, resident of Lilong Haoreibi, P.O. &

P.S. Lilong, Thoubal District, Manipur-795130.

12. Md. Deepak Shah, resident of Kairang Awang Leikai, P.O.

Lamlong, P.S. Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur-795010.

........RESPONDENT/S

B E F

O R

E

HON’BLEMR. JUSTICE AHANTHEM BIMOL SINGH

For the Petitioners

:

Mr.Anjan Prasad Sahu, Adv.

For the respondents

:

Mr.HS. Paonam, Sr. Adv.,

Mr. Lenin Hijam, Addl. AG &

Md. Rabi Khan.

Date of Hearing

:

05.07.2021,09.09.2021,

15.09.2021,24.09.2021,

29.09.2021 & 01.10.2021

Date

of

Judgment

&Order

:

18.01.2022

Judgment & Order

(CAV)

[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 7^th Waqf Board, Manipur, as well as the

WP(C) No. 737 of 2021

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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 7^th Waqf Board including the Chairman is liable to be

quashed and set aside on the following grounds:-

“(a)

constitution of the 7^th 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 require