Controversy Over Appointment of Delhi Waqf Board Administrator

The Supreme Court declined a plea challenging the appointment of Ashwani Kumar as Delhi Waqf Board administrator, redirecting the matter to the Delhi High Court. The petitioner claims Kumar's appointment defies regulations as the board's tenure ended without reconstitution, questioning the authority exercised by the Lieutenant Governor.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea challenging the appointment of Ashwani Kumar as the administrator of the Delhi Waqf Board, encouraging the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court instead. The plea, filed by Zameer Ahmad Jumlana, seeks to restrain Kumar from performing his duties.

The controversy began with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's decision to appoint Kumar after the term of the Delhi State Waqf Board expired on August 26, 2023. The petitioner argued that the powers under the Waqf Act, 1995 could not justifiably be used to justify Kumar's appointment without a valid board.

The plea further highlighted potential legal oversights and alleged that Kumar was exploiting the situation caused by the board being inactive. A similar plea had been dismissed by the Delhi High Court in May, citing it as an abuse of law and publicity-driven.

(With inputs from agencies.)