Telangana HC bars third-party rights, namaz at Abul Kalam Azad Research Institute
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Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed the state government not to create any "third-party interests" at the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute (AKAORI) in Hyderabad and explicitly prohibited namaz offerings on the premises.
This order follows the court's January 27 directive preventing the Telangana Minorities Welfare Department from taking over the institute through a January 23 memo. The department had sought possession for namaz purposes, citing the adjacent Shahi Masjid, both located in Public Gardens.
After the memo, Telangana Waqf Board officials sealed the institute, prompting two writ petitions. Senior advocate Mirza Nisar Ahmed Baig represented institute president Dr. Ashrafunissa Begum, while Syed Iftekhar Hussaini filed separately and secured a status quo order on January 27.
The January 28 order reinforced that no third-party rights can be created and stressed procedural compliance even for lease cancellation, the institute holds a 99-year lease from the state since 1959.
Institute members allege government officials violated the status quo by removing the nameplate during sealing, sparking a scuffle. They now plan to file a contempt case against the Minorities Welfare Department.
" By directing to maintain status quo, the High Court has effectively prevented and stopped the Minorities Welfare Department from taking any action. The Minorities Welfare Department started to take over the possession of Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institution under the guise of their memo dated January 23, which led to the start of a legal battle between the Institute and the government," an institute statement noted.