The Kerala High Court on July 15 temporarily halted operations of the Kerala Waqf Board and ordered the Joint Secretary of the Waqf Department to manage its duties until further notice. The interim order was issued during a public interest litigation filed by BJP state vice-president Adv. Shon George, who questioned the legality of the Board’s formation.
The petition argued that the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 requires two non-Muslim members on the Board. It claimed the current Board, reconstituted earlier this year with nine Muslim members, violated this rule. The case is scheduled for July 22.
The Board had been set up by the previous CPM-led LDF government. Multiple petitions challenge notifications from February and March 2026 on the Board’s constitution, stating it lacks the required non-Muslim members and that the appointed Secretary does not meet statutory criteria.
A Division Bench observed that the Board’s setup appeared inconsistent with Section 14 of the 1995 Act and barred policy decisions or major spending without court approval. The Board’s counsel requested more time, noting a pending Supreme Court matter on non-Muslim appointments.
The Additional Solicitor General stated that the Board’s position was invalid and that the law must be followed absent any court order against non-Muslim members. Earlier petitions had also raised concerns about the Board’s compliance with central law.
