Petition in High Court over Mominpura Badi Jama Masjid election; next hearing on October 30

A dispute over the election of the Badi Jama Masjid in Mominpura, Nagpur, is growing. Questioning the election process, the matter has now reached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court.

It is alleged that the mosque's original scheme provides for preparing a voter list, yet the process of holding the election is being taken forward on the basis of the old list. The complainants say a list should have been prepared before the election as per the stipulated provisions, but it was not.

The complainants have questioned the non-compliance with the provisions of the original scheme. According to them, a list of eligible voters must be prepared before the election is held. Despite this, it is alleged that the election is being held on the old list without a new one being drawn up.

Several objections and applications had earlier been submitted to the Maharashtra State Waqf Board, but no decision was taken on them. For this reason, the applicants approached the High Court.

The applicants say that if the committee concerned does not prepare the voter list, the competent authority should take the necessary action under the powers given in the original scheme. Under these provisions, the role of the Assistant Director concerned, the authority succeeding to the powers of the Assistant Charity Commissioner, or an officer authorised by the Waqf Board could be important.

The matter was heard on October 23 by a bench of Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Rajnish R. Vyas. As per the court's order, notices have been issued to the respondents. The next hearing has been fixed for October 30.

The petition names as respondents the Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra State Waqf Board, the District Waqf Officer, Nagpur, and the election officer of the Badi Jama Masjid in Mominpura. All eyes will now be on the coming hearing and the court's directions.