Waqf Amendment Act SC Hearing LIVE Updates: Supreme Court grants 7 days to Centre to respond to pleas against Waqf Act

A delegation from the Dawoodi Bohra community met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to express their gratitude for the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, calling it a long-pending demand of the community.

They said that it was a long-pending demand of the community. They reposed faith in PM's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'.

The Dawoodi Bohras are a Muslim community primarily from West India, with members settled in over 40 countries worldwide. ANI

"It is very clear that a few people have taken control of assets worth two lakh crore rupees. Some leaders, in collaboration, even sold cemetery lands to build malls. Others permitted the construction of a 5-star hotel for just twelve hundred rupees. This open loot, which was happening under the name of 'Waqf,' is now being stopped. However, the benefits of these lands will now go to Muslim women, widows, girls, children, educational centers, healthcare centers, and in the form of their assistance. This is our commitment, and we will make it happen," said BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Supreme Court hearing petitions against Waqf (Amendment) Act.

On Supreme Court hearing petitions against Waqf (Amendment) Act, petitioner Daya Singh said, "If the government wanted to give common Muslim representation in Waqf then they should have made the Act on the basis of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. However, they are trying to polarise Hindu with the Waqf Act. We have come forward to stop their attempt at polarisation." PTI

The Supreme Court sets May 5 to hear pleas against validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The bench clarified that only 5 pleas will be heard regarding the case, as opposed to the 10 pleas listed in the apex court for now.

Supreme Court says petitioners can file rejoinder to Centre's reply in 5 days post which it will list matter for interim orders. The Supreme Court bench further said. "Impossible to deal with so many pleas, will hear only 5."

SG Tushar Mehta seeks 7 days time to file response, assuring that till next date of hearing, no members will be added to waqf boards or waqf council. Also, Waqf including waqf by user whether declared by way of notification or registration shall not be denotified till then. SC takes the statement on record and allows the request for time to file response.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, during the Waqf Act hearing in the Supreme Court, opposed any probable stay of provisions. He said it will be taking a harsh step by staying provisions

The Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI Sanjeev Khanna, will resume the hearing on batch of petitions against Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 from 3 pm today.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the communal violence in Murshidabad as "pre-planned", accusing BSF, central agencies and the BJP of orchestrating tension by allegedly facilitating outsiders and enabling cross-border influx from Bangladesh.

Addressing a meeting with Muslim clerics, Banerjee urged PM Narendra Modi not to implement the "atrocious" Waqf (Amendment) Act, warning that it would divide the country, and requested him to rein in Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whom she accused of "harming the nation most for his own political agenda".

The TMC supremo claimed that despite the volatile situation in Bangladesh, the Centre rushed through the Act and allowed cross-border infiltration, both of which, she alleged, contributed to the unrest in Bengal. (PTI)

Leaders of the Muslim community on Wednesday welcomed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's suggestion to them to seek appointment with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their reservations over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

All India Imam Association chief Maulana MD Bakibillah Molla described Banerjee's advice as "positive", and said they would soon hold a meeting to decide on meeting the President and the prime minister.

"We will soon hold a meeting over the issue. We also appeal to people to maintain peace and not take law into their hands, and not pay heed to any provocation," Molla told PTI.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong note of an analogy drawn by the Centre in support of the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards and the argument that by that logic, a bench of Hindu judges should not be hearing pleas related to waqf.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan was questioning the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 that allow for the nomination of non-Muslim members to the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards.

"Are you suggesting that minorities, including Muslims, should also be included in boards managing Hindu religious institutions? Please state that openly," the CJI said. (PTI)

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday proposed to stay certain key provisions of the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the power to denotify properties declared as waqf by courts and inclusion of non-Muslims in central Waqf councils and boards.

The top court proposed to pass the order, which was opposed by the Centre as it sought a detailed hearing before any such interim order.

The hearing relating to 72 petitions against the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 took place before a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan. (PTI)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday proposed to order that the properties which have been declared as waqf, including "waqf by user" will not be denotified. The Centre opposed the proposal, while seeking a hearing before the top court passes the directive. "The properties declared by courts as waqfs should not be de-notified as waqfs, whether they are by waqf-by-user or waqf by deed, while the court is hearing the challenge to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025," news agency PTI quoted the SC bench as saying.

During its hearing on the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the Supreme Court noted that ex-officio members of the board can be appointed to the board, irrespective of their faith. However, the top court established that the other members have to be Muslim.

The apex court will continue hearing the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act tomorrow and CJI Sanjeev Khanna condemned violence that occurred after the passing of the Bill saying its very disturbing.

Supreme Court asks Centre whether it is willing to allow Muslims to be part of Hindu religious trusts.

PTI input

Waqf by user is established practice of Islam, cannot be taken away, says senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi for a litigant.

PTI

Waqf Act will have all India ramifications, pleas should not be referred to high court, says senior counsel Abhishek Singhvi.

CJI Sanjeev Khanna said in the Supreme Court, "When we were in Delhi High Court, we were told that the High Court itself is built on Waqf property."

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, "Inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Council is a direct violation of Article 26." On the Waqf Act 2025 allowing for non-Muslim representation, Sibal said that the law is a parliamentary usurpation of the faith of 200 million individuals of this country.

Kapil Sibal says in the Supreme Court, "Who is the State to tell us how inheritance will be in my religion?" Countering Sibal, CJI Khanna said, "But in Hinduism, it does happen.. so Parliament has enacted a law for Muslims.. may be not like of the Hindus... Article 26 will not bar enactment of law in this case.. Article 26 is universal and it is secular in the fashion that it applies to all."

Continuing his opening arguments, "Please see section 3R of the Unified Waqf Management Act. Please see the definition of waqf. Waqf means the permanent dedication by any person showing or demonstrating...that he is practicing Islam for last 5 years. That's why if I want to create a waqf I have to show I am practicing Islam from the last 5 years and how should the state decide whether and how I am a Muslim or not.. what is the contrivance here."

In his opening arguments, Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that the challenge involves an issue that is essential to a faith. He cited Article 26 of the Constitution that deals with freedom of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.

Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna asks petitioners challenging the Waqf Act to first address the court on whether the Supreme Court must hear the case or relegate the case to High Courts.

Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajeev Dhawan, CU Singh and others are representing the petitioners in the Waqf (Amendment) Act hearing.

The hearing on the batch of pleas challenging Waqf (Amendment) Bill's constitution validity will commence shortly. The Supreme Court bench hearing the pleas consists of Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna, and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the recent communal violence in Murshidabad as "pre-planned" and accused a section of the BSF, central agencies, and the BJP of fanning tension by allegedly facilitating cross-border influx from Bangladesh.

Speaking at a meeting with Imams, Banerjee alleged that despite the volatile situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, the central government allowed illegal entry from across the border, and claimed that the BSF and certain agencies played a role in triggering unrest in Bengal.

Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to implement the "atrocious" Waqf Amendment Act and requested him to keep the Union Home Ministry, headed by Amit Shah, under control.

"I would request the Prime Minister to keep a check on Amit Shah, he is doing harm to the nation to serve his own political agenda," she said.

"I came across news claiming the role of elements from across the border in Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BSF to guard the border? The state government does not guard the international border. The Central government must take responsibility," Banerjee said. (PTI)

The BJP on Wednesday alleged that Hindus are victims of targeted attacks in West Bengal and that police gave rioters a "free" rein, as it hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The state has witnessed incidents of violence following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to the migration of riots-hit people, especially in Murshidabad district.

BJP leader Ravi Shankara Prasad assailed Banerjee, asking if her government has become completely insensitive to basic human values.

Police have given free rein to rioters, he alleged, adding the victims are apprehensive that they will be attacked again once the central forces deployed on the directions of the Calcutta High Court leave.

"How low will you (Banerjee) stoop for vote bank... It is unacceptable," he said, and cited the "Maa, Mati, Manush" slogan of the Trinamool Congress leader to claim that she is worried about neither Maa (mothers) or Manush (people).

Prasad claimed that the situation in the state is a signal that the days of her government are numbered, and that the BJP will continue to fight for people. (PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while speaking at a meeting with Imams, said, "Some disturbances happened over Waqf Act in some areas of Murshidabad district. Had TMC been involved in Waqf violence as claimed by opposition, houses of its leaders would not have been attacked."

She further added that TMC is at the forefront of the fight against Waqf law in the Parliament.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act leading to a clash between agitators and police in Assam's Cachar district, an officer said on Wednesday.

The protest march was taken out on Sunday without permission from Berenga Village towards Silchar town and the agitators threw stones at the police with the latter resorting to a mild lathi charge, Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in the district to prevent further outbreak of violence, Mahatta told reporters here.

A case was registered in Silchar police station and an operation was conducted in Bagadahar and Kashipur area on Tuesday leading to the arrest of seven people, he said. (PTI)