The Supreme Court on Friday sought assistance from the Central government on the constitution of the Central Haj Committee.
The Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud sought assistance of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj in the matter. The ASG sought adjournment in the case, which was granted and the matter was listed for further hearing on November 24.
In August last year, the top court of the country had issued notice to the Union Government to respond on a petition seeking establishment of Central and State Haj Committee for States according to the provisions of the Haj Committee Act 2002.
The states were directed to inform the Apex Court about the status of constitution of Haj committees within two weeks.
The Bench of Justice S.A. Nazeer and Justice J.K. Maheshwari asked the states to specify the names of committee members.
The States were directed to file an affidavit if the Haj Committees have been constituted, specifying the names of the companies as well.
The direction came after Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, who appeared for the petitioner, informed the Bench that many States have not filed compliance reports.
The petition had submitted that under the Haj Committee Act 2002, both the Union of India and the States have failed to appoint Committees under the statute.
The plea further requested proper utilisation of the Central and state Haj funds created under chapter IV of the Haj Act.
The petitioner alleged that the respondents had failed to appoint Haj committees at the Central and state level, which was resulting in a situation where the pilgrims were rendered orphans, with no one to take care of their interest.