Delhi High Court Calls For Meeting To Resolve Issue Of Non-Payment Of Salaries Of Delhi Waqf Board's Imams, Muazzins Since May 2022

The Delhi High Court has ordered for conduct of a meeting to resolve the issue of non-payment of salaries since May 2022 to the Imams, Muazzins and Muftis at the mosques registered with the Delhi Waqf Board.

Justice Sachin Datta directed the Chief Executive Officer or Administrator of the Delhi Waqf Board and the Delhi Government's Principal Secretary of Finance Department to convene a meeting and resolve the issue regarding payment of salaries.

“It is hoped and expected that the requisite decision/s shall be taken expeditiously so as to resolve the matter within a period of one week from today,” the court said in an order passed on February 19.

Justice Datta was dealing with plea moved by various full time Imams, Moazzins or Muftis appointed by the Delhi Waqf Board aggrieved by non-payment of salaries since May 2022 without any reason.

The counsel appearing for the Delhi Waqf Board informed court that the Board had not received the requisite funds under the “grants in aid” and that the necessary approval qua the petitioners was also awaited from Delhi Government's Finance Department.

Issuing notice on the plea, the court said that prima facie, there was no valid justification for withholding the salary of the petitioners since May 2022.

“In the circumstances, the Chief Executive Officer/Administrator of Delhi Waqf Board and the Principal Secretary, Department of Finance are directed to convene a meeting and resolve the issue as regards payment of salary to the petitioners,” the court said.

The matter will now be heard on February 27 for reporting compliance.

Counsel for Petitioners: Mr. M.S. Khan, Ms. Neha Khan, Ms. Arshiya and Ms. Shaziya, Advs

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Tushar Sannu and Mr. Sahaj Karan Singh, Advs. for R-1 and 3. Mr. Firoz Iqbal Khan, Adv. for R-2

Title: ASLAM & ORS. v. GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 194

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