HC declines to interfere in Lal Masjid case

Allahabad, Feb 21 (UNI) The Allahabad High Court today declined to interfere in the order of Waqf Tribunal, Varansai, which had allowed Sardar Maqbool Hassan to continue as 'mutwalli' of Lal Masjid in Varanasi.

Disposing of a writ petition, Justice S U Khan directed the tribunal to complete the hearing of the case pending before it within three months.

''In case, the tribunal fails to complete the proceedings within the stipulated time period, it may reconsider the question of interim order,'' the HC observed.

The revisionist Moinuddin claimed that a 17-member committee had been appointed to run the management of Masjid.

However, the Waqf Tribunal issued an injunction, staying the order of the board chairman and directed Maqbool to continue as mutwalli.

Hence, the present revision was filed, seeking stay on the interim order.

Arguing on behalf of respondent Maqbool, senior advocate S M A Kazmi argued that the Waqf Tribunal was justified in passing the impugned interim order in favour of Sardar Maqbool Hassan, as his continuation in office since the death of previous mutwalli was mentioned in records.

Senior advocate R N Singh and M A Quadeer appeared for the revisionist.

UNI XC VCP ATI KD AS2115