The Delhi High Court in the case Aslam And Ors. v. Govt Of NCT Of Delhi And Ors observed and 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.
The bench headed by Justice Sachin Datta in the case observed and has 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.
The court stated in an order passed on February 19 that 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 bench of Justice Datta in the case was dealing with the petition 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 the 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.
The court in the case observed and has issued the notice on the plea, wherein it is stated that there was no valid justification for withholding the salary of the petitioners since May 2022.
The court while considering the facts and circumstances of the case observed and has stated that the Chief Executive Officer or 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.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on February 27, 2024.
The counsel, Advocate Mr. M.S. Khan, Advocate Ms. Neha Khan, Advocate Ms. Arshiya and Advocate Ms. Shaziya appeared for the Petitioner.
The counsel, Advocate Mr. Tushar Sannu and Advocate Mr. Sahaj Karan Singh represented for R-1 and 3.
The counsel, Advocate Mr. Firoz Iqbal Khan represented for R-2.