The State Government on Tuesday issued orders constituting a separate Wakf Tribunal for the State of Telangana.
As per the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Act, 2014, the Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Tribunal neither listed in
Schedule-IX nor in Schedule-X. The existing AP state Wakf Tribunal was constituted in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State and had jurisdiction over entire erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State. Subsequent to transfer of territory as in Section 3 of the A.P. Reorganization Act-2014 to the new State of Telangana, the jurisdiction of the Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Tribunal got limited to the residual Andhra Pradesh State. Therefore, there was a need to constitute a new Wakf Tribunal for the State of Telangana as per Section 83 of the Wakf Act,1995.
As per Section 83 of the Wakf Act-1995 (Central Act 43 of 1995), the State Government is empowered to constitute as many Tribunals as it may think fit, for the determination of any dispute, question or other matter relating to a wakf or wakf property, eviction of a tenant or determination of rights and obligations of the lessor and the lessee of such property, under the said Act and define the local limits and jurisdiction of such Tribunals.
The existing Wakf Tribunal was constituted Vide G.O.Ms.No. 89 of Minorities Welfare Department, dated 20.06.1997, and it had jurisdiction over the entire erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh. In view of bifurcation, the Telangana Government constituted its own Wakf Tribunal.
The Wakf Tribunal will be headed by a Chairman, who shall be a Member of the State Judicial Sessions Judge holding not below the rank of a District Sessions Judge or Civil Judge. An officer from the State Civil Services equivalent in rank to that of the Additional District Magistrate and one person having knowledge of Muslim law and Jurisprudence will be the other members of Wakf Tribunal. (INN)