New Delhi: The Supreme Court has deferred to May 20 the hearing on a series of petitions challenging recent amendments to the Waqf Act, including its constitutional validity. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih took up the matter and observed that it would not entertain challenges to the original 1995 Act at this stage.
The petitions, filed by various groups, raise concerns over the government’s authority to declare properties as Waqf by ‘use’, the nomination of non-Muslims to Waqf Boards and Councils, and the classification of government land as Waqf property. The court also clarified that it would not consider a separate plea by Hindu parties against the 1995 Act on May 20.
Earlier, a different Supreme Court bench had issued interim directions to maintain status quo on Waqf properties, including barring de-notification of “Waqf-by-use” lands and restricting any new appointments to Waqf bodies. That order has now been extended until May 20, ensuring no administrative changes are made to Waqf properties until the matter is fully heard.
