High Court Summons Delhi Waqf Board’s CEO Over Non Payment Of Salaries To Employees

The Delhi High Court has summoned the Chief Executive Officer of Delhi Waqf Board in a case concerning non payment of salaries and allowances to its employees.

Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing an application moved by employees of the Board alleging non-compliance of a court order passed on March 27 directing the Board to ensure that all outstanding dues are released within two weeks.

Observing that the petition depicts a “very sorry state of affairs” as admittedly the employees of the Delhi Waqf Board have not received their salaries for nearly nine months, the court said:

“In this view of the matter, this Court deems it appropriate to direct Md. Rehan Raza, Chief Executive Officer/Respondent No. 1 to remain present in Court on the next date of hearing i.e. 11.07.2023 at 02.30PM, to explain the alleged non-compliance of the orders passed by this Court and non-performance of the statutory obligations of the Delhi Waqf Board to pay salaries and allowances to its employees.”

The court noted that the “usual and casual response” of the Board is that the matter is under consideration and that there is deficiency of funds.

“It appears that the Respondents are totally insensitive to the plight of the employees who are without their salaries and it needs no emphasis that they are finding it difficult to make two ends meet and fend for themselves and their families,” the court said.

Justice Singh observed that prima facie, the Board has “scant regard” even for the judicial orders as despite an assurance given the dues will be cleared within two weeks, there was no certainty as to when the employees will receive their salaries.

The matter will be heard on July 11.

Advocates M. Sufian Siddiqui, Rakesh Bhugra, Kumar Satish Shah and Alya Veronica appeared for the petitioners.

Title: DELHI WAQF BOARD EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION & ANR v. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DELHI WAQF BOARD & ORS

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