Confiscating a phone on campus

Question

If an institute confiscates a phone or tablet etc. from a student, due to it not being allowed on campus, what is the Islamic ruling in regard to the item?

1) Can the admin break the item?

2) Can they dispose of it?

3) Can they sell it?

4) Do they have to return it to the parents, or the students?

Mufti Mohammed Desai · Accepted Answer

If the campus administration confiscates the electronic device because it violates the campus rules to have it in one’s possession on campus, then it should be returned to the student, who is the owner of the device. It is not permissible for the administration to destroy, sell, or dispose of the phone in any other way. On the other hand, if the students voluntarily signed some sort of documentation whereby they had agreed to voluntarily forfeit their device to the institute if they are found to be in possession of it, then it is a different matter altogether. In this scenario then, the administration department may keep the phone and it may be disposed of according to their discretion.

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