What are the changes proposed to the Waqf bill by JPC, now cleared by the cabinet?
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has cleared all 14 amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as proposed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Bill, introduced in August last year to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the second half of the Budget session starting on 10 March.
The Bill seeks to regulate waqf properties and settle disputes regarding them, granting the government greater oversight. Following criticism from the Opposition, it was referred to a JPC, which, on 27 January, approved amendments proposed by the BJP and its allies while rejecting 44 amendments from the Opposition.
Key amendments approved
Extension for registration: The Bill initially mandated that all waqfs and waqf properties be registered on a central portal within six months. The JPC has now allowed the Waqf Tribunal to extend this deadline in select cases if the mutawalli provides a valid reason for the delay.
Legal proceedings allowed: Previously, unregistered waqfs would lose the right to initiate legal proceedings regarding property disputes. An amendment now permits courts to accept cases if the waqf submits an affidavit explaining the delay in registration.
Role of District Collector modified: The 2024 Bill originally gave the District Collector powers to determine if a property belonged to the government or a waqf. The JPC has replaced the collector with a senior state government officer, termed a “designated officer,” to handle such disputes.
Changes in Waqf Boards: The Bill had proposed allowing non-Muslim officials and members in state waqf boards. The JPC has modified this to require a Joint Secretary-level officer dealing with waqf matters to be part of the board.
Legal expertise in Waqf Tribunal: An amendment mandates that the Waqf Tribunal must include a member with knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence.
The proposed changes have sparked debates, with critics arguing that the amendments still grant excessive government control over waqf properties. The Bill is likely to face further scrutiny when presented in Parliament.
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11-year-old dies by suicide after sexual assault in Bareilly; accused arrested
Bareilly (UP) (PTI): A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, who later died by suicide due to trauma, police said on Wednesday.
The post-mortem report confirmed sexual assault and multiple injuries on the minor's body, including bite marks and nail scratches. The cause of death was found to be hanging, they said.
According to ASP (South) Anshika Verma, the incident came to light on 27 April, when the girl, a Class 8 student, was found hanging at her home in Deoria Abdullaganj village under the Mirganj police station area. Initially, the family reported the death as suicide and was reluctant to pursue police action.
"The autopsy report changed the course of the investigation. It confirmed sexual assault and noted severe physical trauma. The cause of death was confirmed as hanging," Verma said.
A breakthrough in the case came from the statement of the victim's younger sister, who told police that the accused, Zeeshan (26), a resident of the same village, frequently loitered near the minor's school and allegedly gave her small sums of money to keep his interactions with her a secret, she said.
Police said that on the day of the incident, the accused allegedly lured the minor and assaulted her. Distressed by the incident, the child later took her own life while her mother was away, police said.
"Based on technical surveillance, CCTV footage, and statements from the family, we established Zeeshan's involvement. He was arrested near the Mirganj weekly market on Tuesday," they said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
