Supreme Court Seeks Reply on Delayed Formation of Hajj Committee, Sets Strict Deadline for Government Response

On Friday, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and the Supreme Court sought the Central government’s assistance regarding the formation of the Central Haj Committee. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj requested a case adjournment, granted with the next hearing scheduled for November 24.

The court had issued a notice to the Union Government in August last year, responding to a petition urging the establishment of Central and State Haj Committees as per the Haj Committee Act 2002.

States were directed to report on their Haj committees within two weeks, specifying members and filing affidavits if constituted. The petitioner argued neglect from both the Union and States, resulting in a lack of committees, leaving pilgrims without proper care and representation.

Concerned about the non-formation of the Haj Committee of India, the Supreme Court directed the central government to file a reply within a week, seeking an explanation by next Friday on why the Hajj Committee was not formed.

On March 27, 2023, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, led by the Chief Justice, was directed to form the entire Haj Committee within 3 months under Sections 4 and 17.

Even after 6 months, former Hajj Committee member Hafiz Naushad Ahmed Azmi filed a contempt case, heard by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB. Holi and Manoj Mishra.

Azmi’s lawyers urged the Supreme Court to take strict action, emphasizing the non-implementation of the court’s decision. The Chief Justice warned that non-compliance would constitute contempt of court and ordered the central government to answer within a week.

Despite filing a public interest petition in October 2021, demanding the formation of Hajj Committees, Azmi expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s seriousness and hoped for a swift decision to protect the institution established by forefathers with great effort and hard work.