‘Supreme’ hearing on Wakf law: Status quo will remain till the next date

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the petitions filed regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Vishwanathan gave the government seven days to file a reply on the demand of the Center. The government also assured that till the next hearing, ‘Waqf on behalf of the user’ or ‘Waqf on behalf of the documents’ properties will not be denotified. The Chief Justice said that if any Waqf property is registered under the 1995 Act, then those properties cannot be denotified till the next hearing on May 5. After this, the court fixed May 5 as the next date of the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the government, said that the government is accountable to the people. The government got lakhs of representatives, included in Waqf in every village. Waqf is claimed on so many lands. It is considered a part of the law. On the opinion of interim stay, Mehta said that staying the law would be a harsh step. He sought a week’s time to file a preliminary reply with some documents before the court. The Solicitor General assured that there will be no appointment of the board or council during this period. He also said that this is not a matter which can be considered in this manner.

The Supreme Court clarified, the court had said that there are some positive things in the law and it cannot be completely stopped. It does not want any change in the current situation. The court said that when the matter is pending in the court, we have to ensure that there is no change in the current situation.
The Supreme Court took on record the statement of the Solicitor General that the Center will respond within seven days. The Supreme Court said that the Solicitor General assured the court that no appointment will be made in the council and board. The court said that the Solicitor General assured that till the next hearing date, the Waqf, which includes the Waqf-by-user already registered or declared through notification, will neither be denotified nor will the Collector take any decision regarding it. The Supreme Court said that the Center should file a reply within seven days. Till then the status quo will remain.