Sathik Ali Vs The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith consider and approve the proposed Festival Committee submitted by the Kottaipattinam Muslim Sunnath Jamath through its representation dated 01.07.2026 for the conduct and administration of the Kanthuri Festival of Kottaipattinam Sardar Rauthar Sahib Valiyyullah Dargah, Kottaipattinam, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for the year 2026, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and consequently permit the said Committee to administer and conduct the ongoing Kanthuri Festival.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Yogeswaran

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For Respondent : Mr.D.S.Haroon Rasheed Standing Counsel

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.20576 of 2026

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ORDER

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The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition after securing a Lunch Motion slip this morning.

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2 . In this Writ Petition, the petitioner seeks issuance of a Writ of

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Mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith consider and approve the proposed Festival Committee submitted by the Kottaipattinam Muslim Sunnath Jamath through its representation dated 01.07.2026 for the conduct and administration of the Kanthuri Festival of Kottaipattinam Sardar Rauthar Sahib Valiyyullah Dargah, Kottaipattinam, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for the year 2026, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and, consequently, permit the said Committee to administer and conduct the ongoing Kanthuri Festival.

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3 . The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Waqf Board

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would submit that the tenure of the previously elected body came to an end in the year 2025 and that no elections were conducted before the expiry of its tenure. It is further submitted that a connected Writ Petition concerning the Management of the said Waqf is pending before this Court.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.20576 of 2026

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4 . The learned Standing Counsel further submits that there are three

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rival groups and that a Peace Committee meeting was convened by the Tahsildar on 18.07.2026. During the said meeting, a consensus was arrived at among the three groups, whereby one nominee from each of the rival groups was permitted to conduct the Kanthuri Festival, which had already commenced on 15.07.2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 14.08.2026.

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5 . It appears that the petitioner is also one of the members selected during the Peace Committee meeting held on the aforesaid date. However, the petitioner now seeks to include about 19 additional members in the Festival Committee.

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6 . The learned Standing Counsel for the respondent submits that if

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the petitioner's request is acceded to, there is every likelihood of the smooth conduct of the festival being jeopardized, which may, in turn, give rise to law and order issues.

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7 . In view of the above submissions, this Court is of the opinion

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that the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted at this stage,

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.(MD) No.20576 of 2026

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particularly, when the festival has already commenced on 15.07.2026. The

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arrangement arrived at in the Peace Committee meeting cannot now be interfered with.

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8 . It is, however, open to the petitioner to take appropriate steps for the conduct of elections in accordance with the approved Proforma or the Bye-laws governing the Waqf. In the alternative, it is also open to the Waqf Board to exercise its powers under Section 65 of the Waqf Act, 1995, if the circumstances so warrant.

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9 . With the above observations and liberty, the Writ Petition stands

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dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

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NCC : Yes / No 20.07.2026 smn2

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To

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The Chairman, The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, No.1, Jaffer Syrang Street, Vallal Sethakathi Nagar, Chennai.

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