Delhi High Court dismisses appeal against Maulana Azad Education Foundation dissolution.

Established in 1989 to promote education among educationally disadvantaged minorities, the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) was dissolved by the Center, a move that was confirmed by the Delhi High Court.

A PIL challenging the dissolution brought by Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, John Dayal, and Daya Singh was dismissed by a bench chaired by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan. The court declared that the MAEF general body’s decision was thoughtfully examined and that there was no improper behavior during the procedure.

The bench, which included Justice Mini Pushkarna, pronounced, “The decision to dissolve MAEF has been duly taken by the general body of the MAEF, and this court finds no irregularity.”

The directive from the Ministry of Minority Affairs dated February 7th, which directed the MAEF to start closure operations right away, was contested by the petitioners. The Center justified its decision by pointing out that the ministry’s extensive minority-focused programs rendered MAEF obsolete.

Following hearing from all sides, the court postponed making a decision until March 13. The petitioners contended that the ministry’s directive was arbitrary and intentional, depriving worthy students—especially girls—of the benefits of MAEF.

The petition raised issues about how students, schools, and non-governmental organizations might be impacted by the sudden dissolution of a decades-old institution.