Overview
- The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 to May 15, transferring the case to a bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice Khanna prepares for retirement on May 13.
- CJI Khanna emphasized the need for a thorough review of disputed data on waqf property registrations and other constitutional issues raised by the petitioners and the Centre.
- The Centre assured the court that it would maintain the status quo on waqf property denotifications and appointments to waqf boards and councils until the next hearing.
- Petitioners have challenged the Act’s abolition of 'waqf by user' and inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards, alleging it infringes on minority rights and constitutional protections.
- The Centre defended the Act as necessary for transparency and curbing misuse of waqf laws, but petitioners dispute the government's claim of a 116% increase in waqf land since 2013.