The Delhi High Court has sought the response of the Central government and Delhi government on a petition seeking directions to complete the statutory process for constituting the Delhi Waqf Board.
Justice Anish Dayal took up the matter and gave notice to the governments on the plea. The petition seeks judicial directions to complete the process required under the applicable law to establish a duly constituted Board.
The development comes at a time of continuing legal struggles over the functioning and constitution of the Delhi Waqf Board.
The petition is to complete the statutory process of the application.
According to court proceedings, the petitioner is to seek directions to the authorities concerned to take the statutory steps on the Board’s constitution.
The plea essentially asks the question of whether the authorities have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the statutory body is properly constituted and able to discharge its functions.
The court’s decision to issue notice means the affected governments will now have to come up with their positions to the High Court.
It should be noted that this notice does not mean that the court accepted the charges or granted the relief sought by the petitioner.
Earlier Court Record on Board’s Status
The latest development follows previous proceedings in which the status of the Delhi Waqf Board had also come before the Delhi High Court.
On January 28, 2026, Justice Anish Dayal received a submission from counsel for the Delhi Waqf Board that the Board was “presently not duly constituted” because the term of the previous Board had expired.
This earlier process is very relevant for the current petition for the completion of the statutory process.
The issue has thus remained part of a larger litigation surrounding Waqf service in Delhi.
Why Constitution of the Board Matters?
A properly constituted Waqf Board plays an important administrative role in matters of waqf properties and their management.
Any lengthy uncertainty about the constitution of such a statutory body can potentially affect administrative decisions, property-related proceedings and other functions associated with the Board.
The High Court petition makes the very important point that the authorities do need to carry out the statutory process.
Centre and Delhi government to respond
With the notices issued, the Centre and Delhi government are expected to put their replies before the court.
In the final stages of the proceedings, the governments will have to clarify their positions, and whether the court will give any further directions.
The case could thus shape the future of the Delhi Waqf Board.
