The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought the state government’s response to four public interest litigations (PILs) filed challenging the constitution and functioning of the Kerala State Waqf Board.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. gave the state government one week to file its counter-affidavit, though the bench declined to pass any interim orders staying the board’s operations.
The petitioners contend that the Board continues to function and issue orders despite the alleged defects in its constitution. They argue that the amended law mandates the inclusion of two non-Muslim members, who have not yet been nominated.
The petition filed by BJP leader Shone George highlights that a February 2026 government order appointed nine members—all of whom are Muslim—failing to comply with Section 14(1) of the amended Act, which strictly mandates the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members.
One of the petitions, filed by the Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS), also challenges the uploading of details of the disputed Munambam land on the Centre’s UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) portal. The organisation argues that the entry affects Hindu and Christian residents in the area and that only the mutawalli is authorised under the Act to upload such details.
The ACTS petition points out that the Board lacks required representation from the Shia, Bohra, and Aghakhani communities as required under the amended law and seeks a direction to the state to reconstitute the Board.
During the hearing of the case on Wednesday, Advocate Lakshmi Sreedhar, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the court that even though the Board has not been properly constituted, it is still functioning and passing orders, which may have adverse consequences.
“We will look into it. If it is without jurisdiction, it will be annulled,” the Chief Justice orally said.