The petitioner took exception to an “arbitrary declaration” by the Nazim recently to instal CCTV cameras in the dargah’s sanctum sanctorum, where the grave of Sufi mystic Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The non-formation of the statutory Dargah Committee and the plan for installation of CCTV cameras inside the sanctum sanctorum of the historic dargah in Ajmer have been challenged in the Delhi High Court. A writ petition moved by a Khadim (custodian) of the dargah has sought directions for proper management of the 13th century shrine.
Justice Sachin Datta at the High Court issued notices to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dargah Nazim, and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) last week on the petition filed by Syed Meharaj Miya. The respondents were asked to explain financial irregularities flagged in the CAG reports and the absence of Dargah Committee for the last three years.
Mr. Meharaj Miya has contended in the petition that the Centre’s failure to appoint the nine-member Dargah Committee — a statutory body established under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955 — had led to mismanagement and corruption. The post of Nazim, which was vacant for two years, was filled only in January 2025.
The petitioner took exception to an “arbitrary declaration” by the Nazim recently to instal CCTV cameras in the dargah’s sanctum sanctorum, where the grave of Sufi mystic Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated, saying it would interfere with the ceremonies and rituals performed at the site.
“Placing cameras at the most sacred part of dargah will violate its spiritual sanctity and privacy of the devotees,” Mr. Meharaj Miya said. The Centre had already granted exemption to major shrines where electronic devices and cameras were barred from the inner portions to preserve their sacred character, he added.
The petitioner also questioned administrative decisions taken by the Nazim’s office in the absence of the Dargah Committee, which, he said, had infringed upon the rights and privileges of Khadims. These decisions included the launch of web portal and mobile app, live transmission on YouTube channel, collection of Zakat, and special membership to donors.
The writ petition made a reference to a reply by Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on August 20, 2025, stating that there were “serious financial irregularities” in the dargah administration and submitting a summary of observations made by CAG between 2013-14 and 2022-23 regarding the dargah funds.
The matter will come up for further hearing in the High Court on October 30. Mr. Meharaj Miya has sought remedies for stopping irregularities, misadministration, unlawful practices, and arbitrary decisions by the dargah management leading to monetary losses to the endowments and properties. He has also sought directions for upkeep of buildings and structures on the dargah premises.
Published – October 21, 2025 11:39 pm IST
