Relief for Sufi Islamic Board: Chhattisgarh High Court Halts Waqf Board Action on Moharram and Urs Celebrations

Salaam people National Desk 

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT GRANTS INTERIM STAY TO SUFI ISLAMIC BOARD AGAINST Chattisgarh STATE WAQF BOARD’S ARBITRARY INTERFERENCE IN MOHARRAM PROCESSIONS AND DARGAH URS CELEBRATIONS.

​BILASPUR: In a major legal victory for the preservation of Sufi heritage and administrative autonomy, the Hon’ble High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur has granted an interim stay in favor of the Sufi Islamic Board in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3071 of 2026.

​The matter was heard today, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as a fresh matter before the Single Bench of Hon’ble Shri Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad in Court Room No. 20.

​Background of the Dispute

​The petition was filed by the Sufi Islamic Board against the State of Chhattisgarh and others, including the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board. The petition challenged the arbitrary overreach, unilateral directives, and attempts by the State Waqf Board to interfere in the traditional management, rituals, and properties of Sufi shrines (Dargahs) across the state.

​SIB the petitioner argued that the Waqf Board’s actions violated the constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, which protect the freedom to manage religious affairs and preserve distinct cultural and religious traditions.

​The High Court’s Intervention

​After hearing detailed arguments from the counsel representing the Sufi Islamic Board, Hon’ble Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad observed that a prima facie case had been established. Consequently, the High Court granted a comprehensive interim stay on the operation of the contested orders/actions of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board pending further hearing.

​The Court has issued formal notices to the State of Chhattisgarh and the other respondents, directing them to file their replies within the stipulated timeframe.

​Statement from the Sufi Islamic Board
​”We welcome this historic intervention by the Hon’ble High Court of Chhattisgarh. For long, the rich, inclusive, and peaceful Sufi traditions and shrines have faced systemic, arbitrary administrative encroachment. Today’s stay order is not just a legal victory, but a resounding reassurance for millions of devotees who look up to Sufi institutions as centers of universal love and harmony. We have complete faith in the judiciary to protect the distinct identity of Sufi practices from institutional overreach.”

​The legal team representing the Sufi Islamic Board emphasized that this stay will prevent any coercive action or administrative takeover of Sufi properties by the Waqf Board while the constitutional questions are being detailed and decided by the court.

Sufi Mansoor Khan, the National President of Sufi Islamic Board said that it is a moral victory for the masses following Sufi Parampara and Maulaiyat Committee, Markaz E Ajmer because the Chattisgarh Wakf Board has tried to hamper the Sufi processions by issuing a radicle style fatwa which again is not permitted as mandated by the Hon’able Supreme Court of India in the WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 386 OF 2005, VISHWA LOCHAN MADAN VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. We will fight against such Wahabi, Bareilvi thaughts till our last breath to save the composit culture of Bharat.