New Delhi, April 17: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Central government to submit its response within a week regarding the legal challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The directive came after the Union government assured the Court that no “waqf by user” or “waqf by deed” properties would be denotified before the next hearing.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K. V. Viswanathan, recorded the assurance given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the Centre. Mehta further confirmed that no appointments would be made to the Central Waqf Council or Waqf Boards in the interim.
The Chief Justice emphasized that any property registered as waqf under the earlier 1995 Act must not be denotified until the matter is heard again on May 5.
The Court issued these directions after Mehta requested a week’s time to file a preliminary reply to the petitions challenging the recent amendments to the waqf law.
During the hearing, Mehta expressed concern about the implications of any observation from the Court on the concept of "waqf by user," asking, “If your lordships say something about 'waqf by user,' what will be the fallout?”
Acknowledging the large number of petitions filed in the matter, the bench said it would limit the hearing to five selected cases. It asked the lawyers to coordinate among themselves to decide who would argue the matter.
The Court also allowed the petitioners to file their rejoinders within five days of receiving the Centre’s response.
