In a recent decision, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court decided that the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board must wait for a new committee to be formed before receiving payment for land acquisition. This decision was made by Judge Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on November 19, 2025.
The case was brought by Hazreth Syed Musthafa Darood against the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. Hazreth Syed Musthafa Darood challenged an order from the District Collector of Trichy, which directed that payment for acquired land be given to the Waqf Board.
Hazreth Syed Musthafa Darood argued that the payment should go directly to the Waqf, not the Waqf Board. He believed that the property belonged to the Waqf, and therefore, the payment should be made directly to them.
"The property was owned by the Waqf. Consequently, it is submitted that payment should be made to the Waqf and not to the Waqf Board."
The Waqf Board's lawyer pointed out that the current committee's term, including Hazreth Syed Musthafa Darood's role as Secretary, ended on January 22, 2025. They argued that Hazreth Syed Musthafa Darood no longer had the right to represent the Waqf.
Judge Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy decided that the payment should be held until a new committee is formed. The court accepted the Waqf Board's promise to transfer the funds to the Waqf once the new committee is in place.
"The amount be given once the new committee is in place."
The court canceled the previous order that directed the payment to go to the Waqf Board immediately. Until the new committee is established, the Waqf Board is not allowed to use the payment amount.
