Srinagar, : The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is currently reviewing a petition from Dr. Kamal-ud-Din Farooqui, who is contesting his removal from the position of Imam-o-Khateeb at Dargah Hazratbal.
During a hearing on September 15, 2026, Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani granted time for the J&K administration and other respondents to submit their replies, while also directing notice to additional parties involved. The court instructed the respondents to address a representation made by Dr. Farooqui on June 12, 2024, in accordance with relevant regulations, with the next hearing scheduled for October 14, 2026. Dr. Farooqui was dismissed by the J&K Waqf Board in April 2024 amid an inquiry related to an incident where a non-local individual converted to Islam at Hazratbal. The Board initiated an inquiry committee following this incident.
Dr. Farooqui’s petition highlights that he is not named in the FIR associated with the case and references a judicial statement from January 29, 2025, in which the individual who converted confirmed that he was not coerced. The petition raises critical questions about the justification and duration of Dr. Farooqui’s removal, the implications of the recorded statement, and the status of the inquiry. The High Court has yet to make a final ruling on the allegations or Dr. Farooqui’s claims, as it awaits responses from the authorities. This case underscores significant issues regarding administrative procedures, the legitimacy of interim actions, and how representations and new evidence are managed by the relevant authorities. The upcoming hearing will be pivotal in determining the next steps in this legal matter.
