Poll authorities prevented from discharging duty at Udupi
Udupi: Kundapur assistant commissioner T Bhoobalan and probationary IAS officer Poovitha were stopped from performing their duties and questioned by the owner, employees and customers of a bar and restaurant at Koteshwara late on Monday night.
The assistant commissioner, along with his team, was on duty for checking violations of the election model code of conduct. They were videographing the happenings inside the bar, after they received a complaint that the hotel was selling liquor beyond the deadline.
They were questioned by the customers who were worried that their identities would become public. They were joined by the owner and employees, who questioned the team repeatedly. Despite explaining their responsibilities, the officials were prevented from discharging their duties.
The team rushed to the Kundapur police station and filed a case. Police have arrested Surendra Shetty and Prabhakar Acharya in connection with the incident.
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Karnataka High Court stays government order allowing Waqf Board to issue marriage certificates
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has stayed a Government Order (GO) issued on August 30, 2023, which authorised the Karnataka State Board of Waqf and its district officers to issue marriage certificates to Muslim couples.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind observed that the GO is inconsistent with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, which does not empower the Waqf Board or its officers to issue marriage certificates. The Bench stated, "Issuance of marriage certificates is neither a matter of better administration of the Waqf Board nor incidental to its management."
The interim order was passed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Alam Pasha, challenging the GO issued by the Under Secretary of the Minority, Waqf, and Haj Department. The petitioner argued that the Waqf Act pertains to the management of moveable and immoveable properties and does not include provisions related to marriage certificates.
Previously, under the now-repealed Kazi Act, 1988, Kazis officiating Muslim marriages were authorised to issue marriage certificates. The petitioner contended that with the repeal of the Kazi Act in 2013, there is no legal basis for the Waqf Board to assume this role. Instead, marriage registrations are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or the Special Marriage Act, 1954, under the jurisdiction of district or State Registrars of Marriages.
The State government defended the GO, citing the difficulties faced by Muslim couples, especially those travelling abroad, in obtaining marriage certificates. However, the Court noted that administrative convenience cannot override the statutory limitations of the Waqf Act.
Notices have been issued to the Waqf Board, and the matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 7, 2024.
Advocate Saraswathi M appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Government Advocate Niloufer Akbar represented the State government.
