Hyderabad: The Wakf Board took control of Dargah Yousufain early on Saturday after the term of the mutawalli (caretaker) ended on Friday. Four Wakf Board personnel entered the shrine when it was opened for the public and took away the keys.
An argument followed, with associates of Syed Hussain Shabbir Hussaini, the mutavalli alleging that the Wakf Board staff took away the keys forcibly. One Mohd Hussain, who works for the caretaker, approached the Habeebnagar police alleging he was manhandled.
Wakf Board CEO M.A. Mannan Farooqui sent an email to the police informing that the Board had taken direct control of the dargah and urged the police to provide security.
The police then posted two pickets in and outside the shrine. Habeebnagar inspector P. Madhukar Chary said that he had inquired into the matter and found that the term of the mutawalli had ended on Friday. “We are there to see that no untoward incident occurs,” he said.
In the afternoon, former mutavalli Faisal Ali Shah, who was sacked by the Board in 2015 for ‘irregularities’, tried to enter the shrine. However, the Board staff stopped him, saying he had to obtain permission from the CEO.
“I have got a stay order on my suspension and I can continue as mutawalli,” Mr Faisal told media persons. Wakf Board chairman Mohd. Saleem said, “After studying various legal and religious aspects, we took over the shrine. We will keep it under our control.”
- Four Wakf Board personnel entered the shrine when it was opened for the public and took away the keys.
- Wakf Board CEO M.A. Mannan Farooqui sent an email to the police informing that the Board had taken direct control of the dargah and urged the cops to provide security.
- Former mutavalli Faisal Ali Shah, who was sacked by the Board in 2015, tried to enter the shrine but the Board staff stop-ped him, saying he had to obtain permission from the CEO.
