The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its interim order on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih concluded three days of hearings and is expected to rule on three key issues, including whether courts have the power to denotify properties declared as “Waqf, Waqf by User, or Waqf by Deed.”
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Rajeev Dhavan, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented the petitioners, strongly opposing the amended legislation. On behalf of the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the law, asserting that waqf is inherently a secular concept and well within the constitutional framework.
Sibal argued that the amended law marked a complete departure from historical and constitutional principles and accused the government of using non-judicial methods to take control of waqf properties. “This is a systematic attempt to usurp waqf properties,” he said, emphasizing that the government cannot dictate which issues can be raised in court.
The court’s forthcoming decision is expected to have significant implications on the administration and ownership of waqf properties across India.
