The Supreme Court on Tuesday conducted a three-hour hearing on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench comprising CJI BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih stated that every law is presumed constitutional, and any plea for interim relief must present a strong and clear case to override this presumption.
After hearing arguments from the petitioners’ counsels, the court scheduled the next hearing for Wednesday to listen to the Centre’s response. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, requested that the hearing be limited to three identified issues concerning interim orders. These include the power of courts to denotify properties declared as Waqf by usage, deed, or earlier court rulings.
However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and other opponents of the law opposed any segmented hearing, stating that the matter must be addressed comprehensively. During the proceedings, CJI Gavai remarked that even today, people offer prayers at the Khajuraho temple, though it is preserved as an ancient monument, highlighting the complexity of religious and heritage-linked properties.
