New Delhi, April 8: The Supreme Court is expected to hear on April 15 a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Meanwhile, the Centre has filed a caveat, urging the court not to pass any order without hearing its side.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, passed last week by Parliament, came into effect on April 8, as per a notification from the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Over ten petitions—including those by AIMPLB, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, and political leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and DMK’s A Raja—have been filed in the apex court. The petitioners argue the Act infringes on the rights of the Muslim community, violates Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26 of the Constitution, and unfairly targets Waqf properties.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind called the law a “dangerous conspiracy,” while AIMPLB termed the amendments “arbitrary and discriminatory.” Several pleas also allege that the Act imposes restrictions on Waqfs that are not applicable to other religious endowments.
The matter is likely to be taken up by a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who recently assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal that the listing would be considered.
