Kerala HC says no stay on State Waqf Board’s functioning for now

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday verbally noted that it will not allow the suspension of the state Waqf Board for the time being while it hears a public interest litigation challenging the composition of the board, particularly the appointment of CPI(M) politician and former MLA KP Kunhammed Kutty.

The petition alleged that Mr. Kutty was appointed for a period of five years with only two months remaining in his tenure, a violation of the mandate under the Waqf Act, 2025. Earlier, BJP leader Shone George had also filed a PIL alleging that the board had not appointed non-Muslim members as required by the existing law.

The Christian Trust Services congregation also went to court challenging the board’s constitution and the board’s uploading of details relating to 404 acres of coastal land in Munambam to the UMEED portal. Another petition was filed by the president of Aal-E-Rasool Foundation, Sajid Hussain Khatai from Kochi, demanding adequate representation of the Ithna Ashari, a Shia community, on the board.

The court took cognizance of all the pending matters relating to the constitution of the Waqf Board and the foreshore land in Munambam and directed that they be heard together on July 15 and directed the state to file its reply in the meantime.

Published – 8 Jul 2026 22:10 IST