Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has sought a response from the authorities on a petition challenging the removal of Professor Dr. Kamal-ud-Din Farooqui from his duties as Imam-o-Khateeb at Aasar-i-Shareef Dargah Hazratbal.
Farooqui has questioned an April 8, 2024 order issued by the Executive Magistrate and Tehsildar of the J&K Waqf Board, under which he was relieved of his duties pending an inquiry or until further orders.
The petition concerns an incident on April 5, 2024, involving a non-Muslim person who, according to Farooqui, expressed a desire to embrace Islam. He has claimed that the individual was questioned about whether the decision was influenced by force, threat, coercion or inducement before he was administered the Kalima Shahadah.
Farooqui has maintained that the individual had made it clear that the decision to embrace Islam was voluntary. However, he alleged that the Waqf authorities subsequently characterised the incident as a case of forcible conversion and ordered an inquiry.
The petitioner has further contended that he was removed from his duties without being served a show-cause notice or given an opportunity to present his case.
Through the petition, Farooqui has sought quashing of the April 8 order, his reinstatement as Imam-o-Khateeb and access to the complete inquiry report.
The High Court has issued notice to the government, the J&K Waqf Board, its chief executive officer, Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, the Executive Magistrate and Tehsildar, SSP Srinagar and the SHO of Police Station Nigeen, seeking their responses to the petition.
