New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- The Delhi High Court sought the Union Government's response on a petition calling for urgent appointments to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), including its Chairperson and Members, amid allegations that the statutory body has been left defunct due to prolonged vacancies.

A division bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing the plea on Wednesday, observed that the matter was "very, very important" and directed the Centre's counsel to take instructions and clarify the status of the appointments.

The petition has been filed by Mujahid Nafees, who identifies himself as the Convenor of the Minority Coordination Committee, an organisation working for the welfare of mi...