(1.) The controversy referred to this Full Bench for resolution, as succinctly put in the order of reference, is as under:
(2.) Having given thoughtful consideration to the issue, we regret our inability to accede to the broad and extensive conclusion of our learned brother that Members of Parliament or the State Legislature, once elected to the State Wakf Board under Section 14 of the Wakf Act, 1995 (for brevity, 'the Act of 1995'), are entitled to continue as such for a full term of five years irrespective of the circumstances in which they cease to be Members of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. There may be situations where the tenure of the Members of Parliament or the State Legislature, who were elected to the Wakf Board by virtue of that status, may be cut short in such manner as to have an impact on their eligibility to continue as Members of the Wakf Board for a full term of five years.
(3.) Ergo, we are constrained to express our reservations as to the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of our learned brother's conclusion by way of this separate opinion. We strive hereunder to elaborate on this aspect as certain nuances of this conundrum are subtle and elusive.