Waqf plea: High Court seeks Centre's reply

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Centre on a PIL challenging the acquisition of over 300 Waqf properties in the national capital.

A bench of Acting Chief Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Lieutenant Governor, the AAP government and the Delhi Waqf Board on a plea which sought to restore the possession of Waqf properties which were allegedly taken over by the government without paying any compensation.

The court also directed the authorities concerned to file status report before the next date of hearing, December 11. The plea said that when any land is acquired by the government, an applicable compensation is paid to the owner.

In this case, it claimed that the Waqf land "is vested with God and no compensation can be made to the God" and hence, no acquirement can be made. The petitioner, advocate Shahid Ali, said the intentions of officials concerned of the Centre are malafide, contrary to the principles of natural justice and violative of the fundamental rights of citizens.

Earlier, the high court had on August 8, asked the AAP government and other agencies to enforce the pending eviction orders.