DELHI: The Supreme Court is likely to hear petitions challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on April 15. Meanwhile, the Central Government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court regarding the same law, urging the court not to issue any orders without first hearing the government’s side.
More than ten petitions have been filed against the Waqf Amendment Act by political leaders and organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamait Ulema-e-Hind. The petitioners argue that the newly implemented law is unconstitutional.
According to lawyers involved in the case, the petitions may be listed before a bench on April 15. However, as of now, the listing is not reflected on the Supreme Court’s official website.
Petitions have been filed by several prominent political figures, including DMK and Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Javed, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, RJD MPs Manoj Jha and Fayaz Ahmad, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan. All of them have contested the legality of the amended Waqf Act.
On April 7, a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal that it would consider listing the petitions. Sibal is representing Jamait Ulema-e-Hind in the matter.
The government’s caveat is a legal procedure used to request that no order be passed without hearing the party that filed it. Legal experts say this ensures that no ex-parte decisions are made.
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to two bills, including the Waqf Amendment Act, on April 5, following their passage in both Houses of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha passed the bill on April 3 after an extended debate, with 288 MPs voting in support and 232 opposing it.
