Waqf tribunal postpones Munambam case to May 27

Kozhikode: Kozhikode Waqf Tribunal postponed the hearing in Munambam land dispute case to May 27 in view of the interim order by the high court. On April 11, HC had restrained the tribunal from passing a final order in connection with the Munambam land dispute cases till May 26.

The court had passed this interim order on a petition filed by Kerala State Wakf Board challenging the tribunal's order rejecting its plea to call records from the subordinate court in Paravur in the case related to the land dispute. Tribunal judge Rajan Thattil, who has been transferred to a new post on May 19, postponed the hearing so that the new judge can conduct the hearing. The tribunal was hearing the case from April 8.

Meanwhile, Munambam residents, who impleaded in the case, said they would move the high court on Monday to lift this restriction so that the tribunal can pass an order. Munambam Samara Samiti leaders said they expect that judge Thattil would pronounce his judgment .

The management committee of Farook College had filed a case challenging Kerala State Wakf Board's decision to declare the disputed land at Munambam as waqf property and include it in the waqf registry. The college management had argued that M Siddique Sait had given this land as a gift and as there was a provision for the donors to reclaim the land, it cannot be considered as waqf.

The tribunal is examining whether Munambam land is a waqf property or a gift given to Farook College. The college management said since the land was given to Farook College with the freedom of transaction, it cannot be considered waqf.