Waqf Board disbands Auqaf committees, takes over control of all shrines, waqf properties

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Monday took over the control of all the shrines and other religious places across the Union Territory while the Chairperson Dr Darakshan Andrabi said that all the Auqaf committees at the religious places have disbanded and refrained from taking any decision.
An order issued under 17/JKWB of 2022, dated 17-12-2022, by Chief Executive Officer JK Wakaf Board, reads, “In Pursuance to Waqf Act, 1995 extended to Jammu & Kashmir (UT) with the constitution of new J&K Waqf Board has taken overall control of all the Shrines including other Assets / Properties under the Muslim Specified Waqf in whole UT of Jammu & Kashmir.”
“No Association / Self-styled Local Auqaf Committee / Management have any legal standing under the provisions of the Central Waqf Act, 1995 & no such Committee has any kind of registration of validation from J&K Waqf Board,” the order further reads.
“It is hereby notified that all the local Waqf / Auqaf Committees shall be deemed as void ab-initio throughout J&K & any kind of interference by such local Waqf Committees be reckoned illegal & to invite action under Law on all the Waqf Units managed by J&K Waqf Board.”
“Therefore all Government Departments & the general public are informed that any communication of any such local committee at any Wagf Unit may not be entertained. This order is issued to ensure a smooth, systematic, transparent & legally viable management system, at all the Waqf Units throughout Jammu and Kashmir.”
Meanwhile, speaking over the issue, the Waqf Chairperson, Dr Darakshan Andrabi said that all the previous Auqaf committees have been disbanded and now they can’t take any decision with regard to the shrines and other religious places falling under the Waqf Board. “The new committees shall be formed soon,” she said.