Hyderabad: Two months after his removal over eligibility concerns under the amended Telangana Waqf Board Act, Mohammed Asadullah has been reappointed as CEO of the waqf board. The state govt issued a GO Tuesday night, and Asadullah assumed charge on Wednesday.Officials said the reappointment followed a division bench of the Telangana HC setting aside the single bench order and the earlier GO issued by the minority welfare department, which had removed him as CEO.Asadullah’s removal was triggered by a writ petition filed by Mohammed Kuthubuddin, a resident of Gopanpally, seeking implementation of the new Waqf Act and asking the state govt to remove Asadullah. Section 23 of the amended Act mandates that the CEO of the board should be an officer of joint secretary rank, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.The single bench judge, Nagesh Bheemapaka, passed an order to remove him immediately and repatriate him to the revenue department. The petitioner had argued that Asadullah was not eligible to hold the post since the CEO is a deputy secretary rank officer.Challenging the decision, Asadullah filed a writ appeal before the division bench, arguing that he was not given an opportunity to present his explanation and that the contempt order violated principles of natural justice.“As per Supreme Court guidelines, in contempt cases, 21 days’ prior notice should be given to the parties, and no interim order can be passed,” he contended. He also highlighted that he is an additional collector cadre officer, a rank equivalent to the joint secretary level required under the amended Waqf Act.Following the division bench’s ruling on Oct 7, the govt reappointed him as CEO (full additional charge) of the waqf board.The CEO’s earlier removal had triggered objections from various organisations and minority welfare departments, creating a delicate situation for the state govt. Some members of the board alleged that vested interests were behind the previous attempt to remove the CEO.Officials clarified that the govt acted in compliance with the HC order and had no intention to implement the new Waqf Act immediately.Asadullah’s reappointment is being viewed as a vindication of his claims, while also highlighting the complex legal and administrative issues surrounding the implementation of the amended Waqf Board Act in Telangana.
