The Union government Supreme Court on Thursday told the Supreme Court that certain key provisions of the new waqf law, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards and provisions on de-notifying properties declared as waqf by courts will not be acted upon for the time being.
The apex court granted the Union seven days to file a reply over the pleas filed against the Waqf Amendment Act, after which the petitioners will be granted five days to review the reply.
“During course of the hearing, SG Mehta states that the respondents would like to file a short reply within 7 days and assured that till the next date, no appointment shall take place to board and councils under the 2025 Act. He also assures that waqfs, including waqf by user, already declared by notification or gazetted, their status shall not be changed,” the Court noted in its order.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, during the Waqf Act hearing in the Supreme Court, opposed any probable stay of provisions. He said it will be taking a harsh step by staying provisions.
The Supreme Court set May 5 to hear pleas against validity of the new waqf law.
The bench clarified that only 5 pleas will be heard regarding the case, as opposed to the 10 pleas listed in the apex court for now. There are more than 70-odd petitions currently pending before the Court.
The Court also said that the case will henceforth be known as In Re: Waqf Amendment Act and not by the name of any of the petitioners.
“The hearing on the next date will only be for directions and interim orders, if any,” the Bench made it clear.
Read yesterday’s coverage of Supreme Court hearing petitions against Waqf Amendment Act.
