The Telangana government has reappointed Mohammed Asadullah as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Telangana Waqf Board, after a decisive ruling by a division bench of the Telangana High Court that overturned his earlier removal.
Background & Removal
Earlier this year, Asadullah was removed from his post following a writ petition filed by a resident of Gopanpally, who invoked Section 23 of the recently amended Telangana Waqf Board Act. The petition contended that under the amended law, the CEO must be an officer of joint secretary rank or higher and argued that Asadullah, then a deputy secretary level official, did not satisfy this requirement. The single bench of the High Court ordered his removal and his repatriation to the revenue department.
Critics and members of the Waqf Board raised objections, noting that Asadullah had never been given an opportunity to respond or defend himself before the removal order a point later central to his appeal.
High Court Appeal & Reinstatement
Asadullah challenged the single bench’s order via a writ appeal before the High Court’s division bench. He argued that:
- He was denied principles of natural justice, as no hearing opportunity was provided.
- His service as an Additional Collector, a rank often considered equivalent to joint secretary, met the requirement stipulated in the amended Act.
- The contempt order and haste of his removal violated Supreme Court norms requiring advance notice before interim orders in such cases.
On October 7, the division bench overturned the earlier removal order, holding that the basis for his dismissal was unsound and that procedural fairness had not been observed.
Following that ruling, the state government immediately issued a Government Order (GO) on October 7, reinstating Asadullah as CEO (with full additional charge of the position). He formally assumed office again the following day.
Government and Board Reactions
Officials stated that the government acted in compliance with the High Court order and clarified that there are no immediate moves to enforce the stricter criteria of the amended Waqf Act, given the ongoing legal debates surrounding its provisions.
Some factions within the Waqf Board had earlier demanded a full time CEO appointment and revocation of GO 67, which removed Asadullah previously. They argued that implementing the removal while the amended Act was under Supreme Court review was procedurally flawed. A board member, Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri, publicly called for reinstatement of the full time CEO position, raising questions about transparency and timing.
Meanwhile, commentators note that Asadullah’s reinstatement is seen as a vindication of his stance and underscores the complexity of applying the amended Waqf Act in practice.
Implications & What’s Next
- The reappointment stabilizes the administrative functioning of the Waqf Board, which had been in a state of flux with the CEO post vacant and many board meetings stalled.
- The case casts a spotlight on the legal ambiguity inherent in the 2025 Waqf Amendment Act especially in terms of CEO eligibility, board composition, and transitions.
- As the Supreme Court continues to hear challenges to the 2025 Waqf Amendment Act, Telangana’s legal and administrative decisions may set precedents for other states.
- The Board must now resume its functions, including property management, endowment oversight, and addressing public grievances, under renewed leadership and continued legal scrutiny.
