Provide security to Waqf Board chief, SC tells UP

NEW DELHI: In a new twist in the last leg of Ayodhya title dispute case hearing, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide adequate security to Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman, Zufar Ahmad Farooqui, after he apprehended a threat to his life.

Farooqui had moved the apex court through Sriram Panchu, one of the three-member mediation panel formed by the court in order to seek an amiable solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi-babri mosque dispute.

A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, is currently hearing the matter.

The Chief Justice at the end of hearing, on the 38th day, flagged the note from Panchu where Farooqui apprehended a threat to his life, saying: “Uttar Pradesh government should provide adequate security to him (Farooqui).”

While the Chief Justice was reading out the note from Panchu, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who is leading the arguments from Muslim parties’ side, told the bench that Farooqui faces threat from the UP government, and there is allegedly a conspiracy to get him off the case.

The UP government counsel, who was also present in the court, gave assurance to the top court on the security arrangements for Farooqui.

According to a counsel from Muslim side, the UP government was exerting pressure on the Waqf Board to reach an out of court settlement.

“The Waqf Board is under the state government. The government has the authority to replace the chairman with somebody who follows its orders,” said the counsel.