Centre assures SC of temporary suspension on key Waqf Provisions

The Supreme Court yesterday recorded the Union government’s assurance that no fresh appointments will be made to waqf boards or the Central Waqf Council under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, until the next hearing. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, also noted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s assurance that the status of existing waqf properties, including those categorized as “waqf by user,” will remain unchanged for now.

The court directed the Centre to file its response within seven days to the batch of petitions seeking a stay and challenging



the constitutional validity of the recent amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995.

Due to the large number of petitions, the bench asked the petitioners to identify five lead cases to be heard, while the remaining may be treated as applications or considered disposed of. The matter will now be heard on May 5. The court also ordered appointment of a nodal counsel to streamline pleadings and written submissions.

The Waqf Act governs the management of Islamic endowments for religious and charitable purposes, including mosques, schools, and hospitals.