In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed three civil appeals by a Dargah (shrine) administrator challenging the appointment of his cousin as successor. The central issue was whether the Dargah's 1932 Constitution (Zabta) restricted succession to the position of Sajjadah Nashin (chief administrator) to direct male descendants of the founder. The Court held that succession is based on selection by the predecessor according to spiritual qualifications and membership in the spiritual sect (Silsila), not hereditary descent. The term 'Khandan' (family) in the Zabta refers to the spiritual community. The respondent, though descended through a daughter and a collateral line, qualified as a member of this spiritual family. The Court also clarified that 'Sagir Sinn' means 'minor age,' not 'minor son,' thus permitting nomination of persons of suitable spiritual standing regardless of gender or age.
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