Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued an interim order restraining the state Waqf board from taking any major decisions without its explicit permission.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M, directed that the board must not incur any capital expenditure or make any policy decisions without the express leave of the court, according to a senior advocate associated with the case.

Furthermore, the bench instructed the state government to ensure that its representative is appointed to the board in strict accordance with the provisions of the United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act.

For the time being, the board shall function under the administration of the state government's joint secretary who deals with Waqf matters, the court ruled.

The bench issued these directives whilst hearing several Public Interest Litigations (PILs), including one filed by BJP leader Shone George. The petitions alleged that the current functioning of the board was illegal as it lacked the two non-Muslim members mandated by the Act.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on July 22.
 

PTI