Waqf Amendment Act case: LIVE UPDATES from Supreme Court

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 five petitioners.

According to the petitioners, 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.

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 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 being heard by a Bench comprising CJI BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih.

The petitioners yesterday argued that the amendment singled out Muslims and was, therefore, clearly violative of the right against religious discrimination under Article 15 of the Constitution.

To read a live account of yesterday's hearing, click here.

Live updates from the hearing today feature on this page.