Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 13: The state high court has ordered the state government to table the report on Wakf properties encroachment prepared by the then chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, during the session being held either currently or in 2019.

With this, the division bench of the high court comprising Justice B V Nagaratna and Justice B A Patil, on Wednesday December 12, dismissed the revision petition filed by the state government on this issue.

The government had committed in writing to the high court in the past to present the report in both houses of the legislature in February, 2016. Thereafter, former minister, S K Kantha, had filed contempt of court petition in the high court, pointing out that the government had not yet tabled the said report.

In lthe meanwhile, the state government, in its review petition, argued that as per section 10 (2) of Karnataka Minorities Commission Act, only recommendations of the commission have to be placed before the legislature. The government sought to review the court order in the light of this.

The bench however, dismissed this petition, saying that based on merit, there is no need to hear this petition.

Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, had submitted a report to the then chief minister on March 26, 2012, about encroachment of Wakf board properties all over the state.

Reacting to this verdict, Anwar Manippady said that his seven-year long struggle to get back properties of Wakf properties usurped by various persons and entities is coming to an end. The government should place the report before the houses immediately. He said that his only request is that ptople should come to know what is going on.

In the meanwhile, senior advocate, S Srivatsa, who appeared for the petitioner, said that the petitioner would be filing caveat in the Supreme court as the state government is expected to file appeal against the high court verdict.

Advocate general, Uday Holla, said that eventually, what action it needs to take on the report is left to the discretion of the state government.