Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To State Over GO Allowing Waqf Board To Issue Marriage Certificates

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the State government on a Public Interest Litigation filed questioning the government order by which it has allowed the Wakf Board to issue marriage certificates to married Muslim applicants.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind issued notice on the petition filed by one A Alam Pasha and directed the state government to file its reply by November 12.

An oral submission was made by the government advocate that the Board has only been authorised to issue Marriage certificates. To which the court orally said, “Wakf board has no function to issue marriage certificates.”

The petition has sought to declare the government order dated 30/09/2023, issued under the hands of the Under Secretary to government, Minority, Wakf and Haj Department as being inconsistent with and repugnant to the provisions contained in the Wakf Act, 1995, and therefore declare it as ultra vires to the Act.

Case Title: A Alam Pasha AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WP 19284/2024