Supreme Court Hears Petition To Dissolve Maulana Azad Foundation Fund (MEF)
The Supreme Court hears a petition relating to the dissolution of Maulana Azad Education Fund (MEF) today August 9, 2024.
On the charges of funds related irregularities of the education foundation, the advocated said, “this is controlled by the govt and nothing is done for years on irregularities”. “9 nominated members are the crucial people. (Refers to 7 March order) they are all bureaucrats from GOI”, advocate said. Adv submits that “9 nominated members are supposed to be distinguished members but instead are all govt officers from delhi”.
CJI DY Chandrachud said, “resolution is passed by competent body”. The CJI said, “the foundation is set up by central waqf council…the general body takes note of the irregularities, therefore they feel its a policy”. “once the resolution is passed, looked at the kind of CAG audit reports on irregularities”, the CJI added.
Adv said “the meeting is started by govt minister, this is a colorable exercise” The advocate said,”6 members are ex-officio rest are to be appointed from different parts of the country, but they happen to be govt members, they are picked, whole thing is colorable”
In response, the adovate said “that the decision in not a policy mylords”.
SG said “one of the eligibility criteria is administrators- this was virtually dormant association not utilising the funds also. these members are all administration belong to different communities but in delhi”.
CJI said in response that “the HC didnt answer the point at all”. CJI further added, “what we can do is instead of sending it back to HC, you reconstitute the body afresh and they decide”.
CJI said, “the petitioner submits that the general body of MEF for dissolution in terms of the rules of society, 9 members were required to be nominated, however, the resolution was only passed by 6 ex officio members without any 9 nominated members”.
Solicitor General said,”the ex officio officers are not ex-officio, they are administrators appointed in the category of Clause 2″.
CJI asked about the notification, “where is the notification?”
In response to the CJI demanding the notitification, advocate said, “president has not issued notification”.
Now the case has been listed on Wednesday for further hearing.
Read also: Delhi High Court Rejects Petition Against Dissolving Maulana Azad Education Foundation
The Maulana Azad Education Foundation is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit making social service organization, established to promote education amongst educationally backward sections of the Society. It is fully funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India. The Minister of Minority Affairs is Ex-Officio President of the Foundation. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 6th July 1989.
The General Body of the Foundation consists of 15 members out of which six members are ex-officio including the President, MAEF and rest nine members are nominated by the President, MAEF. The management of the Foundation is entrusted with its Governing Body, which consist of six members (including President, MAEF) selected from amongst the members of the General Body.
