Sathik Ali v. The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board

ORDER The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition after securing a Lunch Motion slip this morning.

¶2In this Writ Petition, the petitioner seeks issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith consider and approve the proposed Festival Committee submitted by the Kottaipattinam Muslim Sunnath Jamath through its representation dated 01.07.2026 for the conduct and administration of the Kanthuri Festival of Kottaipattinam Sardar Rauthar Sahib Valiyyullah Dargah, Kottaipattinam, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for the year 2026, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and, consequently, permit the said Committee to administer and conduct the ongoing Kanthuri Festival.

¶3The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Waqf Board would submit that the tenure of the previously elected body came to an end in the year 2025 and that no elections were conducted before the expiry of its tenure. It is further submitted that a connected Writ Petition concerning the Management of the said Waqf is pending before this Court. Page No. 2 of 5

¶4The learned Standing Counsel further submits that there are three rival groups and that a Peace Committee meeting was convened by the Tahsildar on 18.07.2026. During the said meeting, a consensus was arrived at among the three groups, whereby one nominee from each of the rival groups was permitted to conduct the Kanthuri Festival, which had already commenced on 15.07.2026 and is scheduled to conclude on

14.08.2026.

¶5It appears that the petitioner is also one of the members selected during the Peace Committee meeting held on the aforesaid date. However, the petitioner now seeks to include about 19 additional members in the Festival Committee.

¶6The learned Standing Counsel for the respondent submits that if the petitioner's request is acceded to, there is every likelihood of the smooth conduct of the festival being jeopardized, which may, in turn, give rise to law and order issues.

¶7In view of the above submissions, this Court is of the opinion that the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted at this stage, Page No. 3 of 5 particularly, when the festival has already commenced on 15.07.2026. The arrangement arrived at in the Peace Committee meeting cannot now be interfered with.

¶8It is, however, open to the petitioner to take appropriate steps for the conduct of elections in accordance with the approved Proforma or the Bye-laws governing the Waqf. In the alternative, it is also open to the Waqf Board to exercise its powers under Section 65 of the Waqf Act, 1995, if the circumstances so warrant.

¶9With the above observations and liberty, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. NCC : Yes / No

20.07.2026 smn2

To The Chairman, The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, No.1, Jaffer Syrang Street, Vallal Sethakathi Nagar, Chennai. Page No. 4 of 5 C.SARAVANAN

, J.

smn2

20.07.2026 Page No. 5 of 5

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 20.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P.(MD)No.20576 of 2026 Sathik Ali ... Petitioner Vs. The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, Rep. by its Chairman, No.1, Jaffer Syrang Street, Vallal Sethakathi Nagar, Chennai. ... Respondent Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith consider and approve the proposed Festival Committee submitted by the Kottaipattinam Muslim Sunnath Jamath through its representation dated 01.07.2026 for the conduct and administration of the Kanthuri Festival of Kottaipattinam Sardar Rauthar Sahib Valiyyullah Dargah, Kottaipattinam, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for the year 2026, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and consequently permit the said Committee to administer and conduct the ongoing Kanthuri Festival. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Yogeswaran For Respondent : Mr.D.S.Haroon Rasheed Standing Counsel Page No. 1 of 5