In a significant move, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has approached the Supreme Court, seeking to intervene in the ongoing legal battle over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The board filed an intervention application on Monday, requesting the court’s permission to become a party in the writ petition initiated by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, which challenges the constitutional validity of the recently passed legislation.
The Waqf Board, responsible for the administration and management of Waqf properties in Uttarakhand, has claimed a vital stake in the outcome of this case. According to a source within the board, their participation is crucial to address the legal and factual matters concerning the Waqf properties and the implications of the amendment.
In its application, the board highlighted its role as a key entity overseeing the 5,317 Waqf properties registered in the state. The submission points out the significant increase in Waqf properties over the years, raising concerns about the authenticity of these donations and issues related to encroachments by third parties.
“The sudden rise in Waqf properties in the state raises questions on the genuineness of these donations. There are also many Waqf properties that have been encroached upon by third persons,” stated the board in its affidavit.
