Chief Qazi skipping inquiry raises eyebrows

Nampally: The absence of the Chief Qazi of Shah Ali Banda during the on-going inquiry has raised more questions than answers over the alleged non-submission of records for more than two decades. The inquiry officials have provided one 'final' chance for submission of all the marriage related records by August 31.

On Saturday, the officials conducted the fourth phase of hearing, as part of the enquiry, but the Qazi in the question, Mir Qadar Ali, was represented by his counsel rather than him being in person at the Quazzat section in Haj House.

The latest inquiry was launched following the complaint made by Ibrahim Shareef, who was represented by his counsel Abdullah Bin Ali Bahmaid allegedly over 'misappropriation' and holding the records of marriages for the past 20 to 30 years. Even this time, more time was sought by the counsel of Qadar Ali, but was given only two more months.

Later, speaking to the media, Bahmaid said that the Qazi in the question was yet to submit the records of two to three decades jeopardising the lives of thousands who were married during the period.

"Generally, records should be available with not only groom and bride, but also with the Qazi, Wakf Board and even at the TS Archives Institute, which has remained a norm in the state and which cannot be taken casually. Whenever an inquiry is taken up against the erring Qazi, nothing has come out in public. Till now, three officials have been changed," he said.

Meanwhile, the Inquiry Officer of the TS Wakf Board amd KA Wahid Khan have asked those who were facing the inquiry to submit all the records by August 31.The officials held that enough time was already given in this direction.

Qazi claims acquittal

It may be noted here that earlier in April, Mir Qadar Ali, the Qazi who is facing an inquiry, refuted all kinds of allegations like 'misappropriation' and termed them 'false.' He also explained that he was acquitted in the only case of conducting 'Arab marriage.'

Putting all the blame on another Qazi of Old City, Habeeb Abdullah Rafai, whose deputy lodged the complaint with the Quazzat, he held that Rafai was himself facing several police cases and trying to create a discord amongst the Qazi fraternity. "In the earlier inquiry, I came out clean and even in this inquiry, I shall be given a clean chit," he said.

Differences between Qazis

In 2014, it was reported that Abdullah Rafai, while referring to a Government Order declared himself as Qazi of Shafais and Arabs in Hyderabad. However the very next day the order was cancelled with another Order by the State Government.

Later, the issue landed in the High Court, which issued injunction prompting Rafai to declare that Shafai and Arabs can approach him over matters of marriage and other relevant issues. However, there was confusion and Rafai lost the ground. One of the reasons is that government blamed Rafai for suppressing information like criminal cases pending against him, when the first GO in his favour was passed.