HC: Where is govt's authority to intervene in Waqf property issue?

Questions rationale behind inquiry panel when judicial finding says Munambam is waqf land

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kochi

OBSERVING that the disputed property in Munambam has been declared waqf land under the Waqf Act, the Kerala High Court on Monday questioned the authority of the state government to intervene in the matter.

"Unless and until the Waqf Board's order is varied or modified by the Waqf Tribunal, the statutes say that the finding of the Waqf Board is final. There is already a statutory declaration that it is a waqf property," said Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas.

The court asked whether the government could appoint a commission to inquire into the land issue when there was a judicial finding that it was Waqf land. "Where is the government's authority to consider a question regarding a Waqf property?" the court asked.