The Managing Committee, v. Mr. Aftaf Rasool,

O R D E R This Contempt Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission, inasmuch as the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned counsel for the respondent are present before this Court.

2.The grievance of the petitioner is that the election notification has been issued without adhering to the mandatory 21 days notice, which has been consistently followed in the earlier elections, thereby depriving the valuable rights of the contestants. The learned counsel for the petitioner would, however, fairly submit that the petitioner does not intend to stall the election process.

3.Mr. Mohammed Fayaz Ali, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/Board, would submit that the petitioner appears to be aggrieved only with the election schedule fixed, without affording sufficient opportunity to the contestants and voters. He would further submit that if such is the grievance, the Board is willing to re-schedule the election dates.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners, who are also present though they are not parties to the present contempt petition, would submit that the first notice was issued as early as on 31.12.2025 and thereafter the second notice was issued on 22.01.2026, followed by the final notice dated 10.02.2026, and therefore, sufficient opportunity has been afforded to all the contestants.

5.However, as rightly pointed out by Mr. Y. Kaja Navas, learned counsel for the petitioner/fourth respondent, this Court finds that the appointment of the Election Officer itself was made only on 09.02.2026 and admittedly, the mandatory 21 days notice has not been complied with. Taking into account the fair submission made by the learned counsel for the Board that the Board is willing to re-schedule the election dates, this Court is inclined to pass appropriate orders.

6.In view of the above, this Contempt Petition is disposed of, directing the respondent/Board to re-schedule the election dates by granting sufficient time to all the contestants and voters so as to ensure a fair and transparent election. It is made clear that even if the Model Code of Conduct comes into force in the interregnum, the same shall not stand in the way of conducting the election, since the election pertains only to the Managing Committee of the Waqf and is being conducted by the administrative body of the Waqf Board. The representation of the petitioner dated 19.01.2026 shall also be considered by the Election Officer before re-scheduling the election. No costs.

11.02.2026 kv Index : Yes/No Speaking order/Non Speaking Order To The Chief Executive Officer, The Tamilnadu Wakf Board, No.1, Jaffer Syrang Street, Vallal Seethakathy Nagar, Chennai – 600 001 P.B.BALAJI

, J.

kv

11.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 11.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE P.B.BALAJI The Managing Committee, Represented by its President, Meeran Mohidheen, Age 52, Adyar Kuraisani Peer Mosque and Dargah Wakf, Adyar, Chennai – 600 020. ... Petitioner Vs. Mr.Aftaf Rasool, The Chief Executive Officer, The Tamilnadu Wakf Board, No.1, Jaffer Syrang Street, Vallal Seethakathy Nagar, Chennai – 600 001. ... Respondent Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, praying to punish the respondent for willful disobedience of this Court order passed in W.P.No.35714 of 2024 dated 24.11.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.Y.Kaja Navas For Respondent : Mr.Mohammed Fayaz Ali ****