Srinagar, Aug 25: Pronouncing verdict in the Houseboat Owners Association election row, a local Court has directed that Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo would continue to be the caretaker Chairman of the Association till elections are concluded and new body assumes the office.
 The Court of Judicial Magistrate Srinagar A M Dar observed that once the non-applicant, Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo has been nominated as caretaker by the members of the Association, he cannot be removed till duly elected body assumes office.
 “The non-applicant has not questioned the election process or holding of elections, therefore   prima facie the non applicant is not causing any interference in the election process” the Court said.
 The counsel for the plaintiff during the course of arguments admitted that Wangnoo is a caretaker and has to continue till elected office bearers assume office.
 “Considering facts and circumstances of the case, the Court observed that the application for internal relief is decided with the direction that non applicant no 11 shall not cause any sort of interference in the election process already initiated,” the Court said.
 “The plaintiff or the non applicants 1 to 10 also shall not cause any interference in the functioning of the non-applicant No 11 as caretaker/ chairman of the Association till elections are over and the elected body assumes office,” the Court directed.
 Mir Syed Lateef; counsel for Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo, prayed that the applicant Muhammad Yaqoob Dunoo, a member of the Association, who had filed application seeking the HBOA elections had no “locus-standi to file the suit.”
  Lateef also prayed before the Court that the HBOA has already issued a notice duly signed by the caretaker chairman, Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo and vice-chairman Ghulam Muhammad Pakhtoon, and General Secretary Abdul Rashid that the Association has decided to hold a general meeting on September 16, 2011 to finalize date for the elections.
 Pertinently earlier this month Muhammad Yaqoob Dunoo, had submitted an application seeking elections. 
 He had also accused Wangnoo of creating hurdles in the election process. Meanwhile Wangnoo who is out of station has welcomed the Court direction.
 “I had full faith in judiciary and the verdict had furthered my faith in it,” Wangnoo said adding he would continue to work with honesty as the caretaker of the HBOA till the new body is elected. “The elections will be held soon,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST