After Omani national Khamis Mohammed Khamis detention on the charge of marrying a minor girl from the Old City, Minorities Welfare Department (MWD) started taking a tough stand against the unscrupulous activities of qazis, and is all set to suspend deputy qazi Zulfeqar.
Qazi Zulfeqar Ali is accused of solemnising the marriage with malefic intention for wrongful gains and a show cause notice from the MWD has been sent to the government appointed Qazi Lateef Ali inquiring why action should not be taken against him for having failed to keep a check on his Deputy Zulfeqar.
According to the sources, the department on Thursday received a response.
“The reply was sent by Zulfeqar’s lawyers who have maintained that he has done no wrong and the charges against him are trumped up. The reply also states that deputy qazi Zulfeqar performed the marriage after verifying the girl’s Aadhaar card,” said a source on a condition of anonymity.
In spite of Zulfeqar’s assertions, the MWD has maintained that nikahnama does not have the record of the victim’s date of birth. “Further, the FIR registered by the south zone police clearly states that the girl is only 17 years of age. This means that she is a minor. The marriage of a minor attracts relevant sections of the Child Marriage Prevention Act,” the source explained.
MWD special secretary Syed Omar Jaleel said, “We know that many qazis and their deputies are honest. But there are others who have committed grave offences. In the case of deputy qazi Zulfeqar, there is a strong likelihood that we will suspend him. There can be no tolerance towards such activities.”
To keep a check on unlawful activity of deputy qazis, the MWD had circulated a proforma to the 14 head qazis of the city to furnish details of their deputies including their names, qualifications, Aadhaar card details, among others. But, the move has annoyed the qazi community who believe it is a violation of the Qazi Act of 1884.