The Delhi High Court in the case Delhi Waqf Board Employees Association And Anr v Chief Executive Officer Delhi Waqf Board And Ors observed and has summoned the Chief Executive Officer of Delhi Waqf Board in a case concerning the non-payment of salaries and allowances to its employees.
The bench headed by Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing an application moved by employees of the Board alleging non-compliance of a court order passed on March 27, 2023 wherein the court directed the Board for ensuring that all outstanding dues are released within the period of two weeks.
The court in the case observed that the plea filed depicts ‘a very sorry state of affairs’ as admittedly the employees of the Delhi Waqf Board have not received their salaries for nearly nine months.
The court in the case observed and has stated that the said court deems it appropriate to direct Md. Rehan Raza, Chief Executive Officer or Respondent No 1 to remain present in Court on the next date of hearing i.e. 11.07.2023 at 02.30PM, in order to explain the alleged non-compliance of the orders passed by the said Court and also the non-performance of the statutory obligations of the Delhi Waqf Board in order to pay salaries and allowances to its employees.
It has also been noted by the said court that the ‘usual and the casual response’ of the Board being that the matter is under consideration and that there is deficiency of funds.
Further, it has also been stated by the said court that it is being appeared to the court that the Respondents are totally insensitive to the plight of the employees who are without their salaries and also it needs no emphasis that they are finding it difficult in order to make two ends meet and fend for themselves and their families.
The bench headed by Justice Singh in the case observed that the Board has “scant regard” even for the judicial orders as despite an assurance given the dues will be cleared within the period of two weeks and there being no certainty in the case as to when the employees will receive their salaries.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter to be next heard on July 11, 2023.
The counsel, Advocate M. Sufian Siddiqui, Advocate Rakesh Bhugra, Advocate Kumar Satish Shah and Advocate Alya Veronica appeared for the petitioners.
