District Wakf Officer v. State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru; WP (LB-RES) No. 10366 of 2021; decided 02-02-2026; Suraj Govindaraj, J. Wakf parties - District Wakf Officer / Barlane Masjid, Chitradurga - challenged City Municipal Council, Chitradurga Order No. N.S.CHI: KUM.SHA:C.R:02.2021-22 dated 07.06.2021 (Annexure-A) for removal of religious structure; certiorari under Articles 226 and 227 Constitution of India; Deputy Commissioner to consider objections before any removal order on public property; restraint on coercive steps till enquiry by Deputy Commissioner completed; followed coordinate Bench ruling in Sultani Jamia Masid vs. State of Karnataka, WP No.7194 of 2021 (24.08.2022); petition disposed of.
What did the court decide?
Petition disposed of (certiorari not issued) with directions: (i) the jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner, though not a party, to consider the objections filed by the petitioners before passing any order for removal of the religious structure, if put up on public property; and (ii) respondents restrained from taking coercive steps against the petitioners for removal of the religious structure till completion of the enquiry by the Deputy Commissioner.