Supreme Court pulls up Maharashtra Wakf Board for removing AG in midst of hearing

New Delhi, August 2

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Maharashtra Wakf Board for displacing Attorney General KK Venugopal in the midst of hearing that would decide if all land donated by Muslims for charitable purpose would come under the board.

“Is this the way to treat the AG? This has never happened,” a Bench led by CJI NV Ramana said, posting the matter for hearing on the date already fixed.

As Venugopal said he never faced such a situation, the Wakf Board counsel apologised. The new advocate on record for Maharashtra Wakf Board submitted that he wrote the letter on the instruction of the board CEO.

Earlier, Venugopal expressed “shock” after his advocate-on-record and instructing counsel in a case relating to the Maharashtra State Board of Wakfs were replaced without his knowledge. In a letter to the Registrar (Judicial) of the SC, Venugopal said, “This is clearly an act of contempt of court.”

Stay on proceedings against shooter

The Supreme Court has stayed criminal proceedings against international shooter Vartika Singh, who accused Union Minister Smriti Irani and others of corruption.