AKAORI to File HC Contempt Plea Over Status Quo Breach

Hyderabad: Alleging violation of a Telangana High Court order to maintain status quo over the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute (AKAORI), the executive body of the institute has decided to file a contempt petition against minority welfare department officials.

The unlocking of the sealed premises of the Niaz Khana and handing it over to Shahi Masjid on January 27 has triggered uproar. The move followed a memo issued on January 23 and the sealing of the age-old institute, located adjacent to Shahi Masjid at Public Gardens, by the district minorities welfare officer the next day.

“We shall be filing a contempt of court petition against the minority welfare department officials, as the order to maintain status quo was violated. They not only undermined the court orders, but also handed over the premises to the mosque management. Moreover, the minority welfare minister, vice-chairman TGMERIS and secretary, minority welfare, entered the premises in violation of court orders,” Aziz Ahmed, executive member of the institute, alleged at a press conference on Sunday.

On the same day the status quo was ordered, members of the executive committee learnt that the grill lock had been opened and the mosque management had begun using the premises. A video clip featuring minister Azharuddin, Faheem Qureshi and senior officials of the minority welfare department at the location triggered anguish.

Advocate Mirza Nizar Baig, one of the legal counsels, said the institute would also seek damages. “We shall ask the court to constitute a commission to take up the issue of inventory of the invaluable books,” he said.

Prof. Ashraf Rafi, chairman of the executive body, alleged that rare manuscripts, including copies of the Quran, Ramayana, the Gita and others, some dating back to the 13th century, were mishandled and misplaced in order to clear the premises. Their whereabouts were not known, she claimed.

Dr Fatima Ahmed, executive body member, said the institute housed not only books on religion and philosophy but also astronomy and medicine, attracting researchers from Iran, Saudi Arabia and European nations.