- Saturday, April 12, 2025
By: India Weekly
A THREE-JUDGE Supreme Court bench headed by chief justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear on April 16 the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
According to the apex court website, justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan are also part of the bench for hearing the pleas.
The Centre on Tuesday (8) filed a caveat in the apex court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter.
Caveat is filed by a party in the high courts and the apex court to ensure that no orders are passed without hearing it.
Over 10 petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, were filed in the top court challenging the validity of the newly-enacted law.
The prominent petitioners include Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, AAP leader Amanatullah Khan and Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Zia-ur-Rahman Barq.
Some Muslim organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema have also filed petitions.
The central government on Tuesday notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 which was passed by Parliament last week after long-drawn sessions both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The law defines Waqf as the permanent donation of movable or immovable property by a Muslim for purposes considered religious, charitable, or beneficial to society.
The government claims the bill will improve the functioning of Waqf properties and ensure transparency.
The opposition parties said the proposed changes to the Waqf law is an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution and an attempt by the government to control the properties owned by the Muslim community.
