PIL challenges uploading of Munambam property details to Central portal

A public interest litigation has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the Kerala State Wakf Board’s decision to upload details of the disputed Munambam land on the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) portal.

UMEED portal is a centralized digital platform launched by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for registration, real-time verification and monitoring of Waqf properties across India.

The petition, submitted by the Council of Christian Services Trust (ACTS), alleged that the Board lacked authority to file details of the land because it was improperly constituted and lacked adequate representation among its members as required by law. He also raised concerns that more than 600 Latin Catholic Christian and Hindu families face possible displacement that could lead to conflict.

The Joint Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 states that the Board must consist of 11 members, two of whom must be non-Muslim. The petition argues that the current structure of the Board lacks this representation and violates the rules by appointing two members with professional experience in business, social work or other development activities, and appointing a distinguished scholar in Muslim theology without verifying his qualifications.

The petition also requested the termination and legal reconstitution of the current Board of Directors.

Earlier, controversy had broken out when the Board uploaded the details of Munambam properties on the portal.

The Board defended its position by stating that it was legally obliged to file details of all registered Trust properties not encumbered by the relevant Trustees.

A petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shone George, alleging that the Board is functioning without mandatory participation of non-Muslim members, is also pending before the Supreme Court.