SC issues notices on dargah case

New Delhi, Jun 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices on an application that two ancient dargahs in Kishtwar tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir are being run by surrendered militants, who are allegedly extorting money from the pilgrims who visit these holy places to offer prayers.

A vacation bench comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice Altamas Kabir directed the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the Waqf board to file their response to the application by June 23 while fixing the next hearing on June 26.

According to the petitioner, who are the legal representatives of the deceased Sayed Maqbool Shah, in their application have alleged that according to the orders of the Supreme Court, the offerings were supposed to be collected by the administrators appointed by the Waqf board as the dargahs come under the board.

As per the petitioner, instead of appointing administrators, about a dozen surrendered militants had been appointed to look after the dargahs, who in turn employed many people with dubious antecedents, and open extortion is going on.

According to the applicant's counsel D K Garg, in recent raids in the office of Waqf board, huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered and the two dargahs have virtually become a centre for militants and anti-national activities.

UNI AKS/SC MA PM1210