The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a hearing for April 16, 2025, to address multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and including Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, will preside over the proceedings.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, which received presidential assent on April 5, 2025, has been contested by various petitioners, including Lok Sabha MPs Asaduddin Owaisi and Mohammad Jawed, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, the Muslim clerics’ body Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights. These petitioners argue that the Act is “manifestly arbitrary,” perpetuates discrimination based on religion, violates the Shariat Act, and infringes upon the Muslim community’s right to manage its religious institutions.
The Supreme Court’s daily cause list confirms that a total of ten petitions have been listed for hearing, with the lead petition filed by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
This development follows the Court’s earlier decision to consider listing these petitions after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, emphasized the need for an urgent hearing. CJI Khanna acknowledged the request, stating, “I will see the mentioning letter in the afternoon and take a call. We will list it.
The upcoming hearing is anticipated to address the concerns raised by the petitioners regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act’s implications on religious institutions and the rights of the Muslim community.
