Supreme Court hears Waqf Amendment Act case: LIVE UPDATES

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

The new law amended the Waqf Act, 1995, to address the regulation of Waqf properties, that is, religious endowments or properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.

A slew of petitions were filed challenging the amendment's validity, although the Court has indicated that it will only confine to hearing only five petitioners.

The petitioners have contended that the amendment amounts to discrimination against Muslims and unwarranted interference in Islamic religious affairs and the management of waqf properties.

The Union government has defended the amendment, arguing that it was brought in to curb the misuse of waqf provisions that were being invoked to encroach on private and government properties.

In rejoinders, the petitioners have argued that the right of the Muslim community would be thwarted if the Amendment Act is allowed to stand in its entirety.

Meanwhile, six Bharatiya Janta Party-ruled States also joined the Central government in defending the amendment.

Interestingly, a Kerala-based Hindu organisation named the Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust, has also moved a plea opposing the amendment, arguing that it threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India. The State of Kerala has also approached the Court against the amendments.

More recently, the State of Kerala too moved an intervention application opposing the amendment, on the ground that the apprehensions expressed by the Muslim community are genuine.

On April 17, the Central government assured the Bench, then led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, that it would not enforce several key provisions of the Act for the time being. The Court recorded this assurance, and decided not to order any express stay.

After CJI Khanna's retirement on May 13, the matter is now listed before e Bench comprising CJI BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih.

Live updates from the hearing today feature on this page.