SHAFAQNA– All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) made proposal to open Darul-Qaza (Sharia courts), based upon the Islamic law, in all districts of India.
Speaking to India Today, Jafaryab Jilani, a member of AIMPLB said, “Since 1993, the board has been setting up Dar-ul-Qaza (Sharia courts) to resolve marital disputes and other issues before going to other courts. In the upcoming meeting we would be discussing about how to expand Dar-ul-Qaza everywhere in the country.”
“Wherever we have such courts, a Qazi is appointed to solve marital disputes and other matters coming under sharia. If the issue isn’t settled amicably here then the individuals can take the matter further according to their own wish,” added Jilani.
He also said that not more than Rs 50,000 is required to open a Dar-ul-Qaza and there is a separate committee within the board which works for it’s expansion.
Sunni cleric Maulana Sufiyan Nizami supported the move of AIMPLB and said that the expansion will take place in areas where the issues coming under Sharia are required to be settled.
However, Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas has opposed expansion of Sharia courts, India Today reported.
Maulana Saif Abbas, a top Shia cleric, while speaking to reporters said there will be no legal validation to the verdicts delivered by the courts based on the Shariat law. “In case of a land dispute, how will they ensure the one who wins the suit gets the possession of the land. Will the Constitution recognise their decision?” he asked.
BJP leader and Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy, however, marked his opposition to the move calling it “seditious”. He accused the AIMPLB of attempting to undermine the Indian courts. “All of them (board members) should be arrested under the National Security Act,” he said.
Zafaryab Jilani added the Islamic courts will reduce the burden on the Indian judiciary.
“At present there are 40 such courts in Uttar Pradesh. We plan to open one such court in all districts of the country. The objective of Darul-Qaza (Sharia courts) is to resolve matters in light of Shariat laws instead of going to other courts,” he said, Latest LY reported.