Hyderabad: The Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh Government has dissolved the State Waqf Board nominated by the previous YSR Congress regime.

In an order dated Nov. 30, the State Government noted that AP State Waqf Board, formed by the YSRC regime, had been non-functional for a prolonged time (from March 2023). The then-formed Waqf Board had 11 members, of whom three were elected and the rest eight  were nominated.

The State Government said the Waqf Board had no representation of scholars from Sunni and Shia communities and former Parliamentarians. This led to stagnation in Waqf operations.

Junior advocates were chosen without proper criteria in the Bar Council category, leading to conflicts of interest involving senior advocates who filed cases, according to the order.

Complaints were filed against the election of S.K. Khaja as a Board Member, particularly concerning his eligibility as ‘mutawalli’ (a person who manages and administers a waqf). Also, the election of the Chairman has not been held due to various court cases.

Notably, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had on Nov. 1, 2023, stayed the election of the State Waqf Board’s Chairperson after a plea challenged the process followed to constitute  the Board.

The order further reads, “The Chief Executive Officer, AP State Waqf Board, Vijayawada, brought to the Government’s attention the prolonged non-functioning of the Board and the pendency of writ petitions questioning the legality of GOMs No. 47 to resolve the litigations and prevent an administrative vacuum.”

After careful consideration of all aspects and the High Court order, the Minorities Welfare Department said, the State government withdraws the GO date of Oct. 21, 2023, with “immediate effect.”

Minister of Minority Welfare N. Md. Farooq, meanwhile, said, “The coalition government headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is committed to the protection and management of Waqf properties and the welfare of minorities.”

“The government is taking steps in this direction,” Farooq was quoted as saying.