Waqf Amendment Act challenge: 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 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.

On the other hand, six Bhartiya Janta Party-ruled States have also moved the Supreme Court in the matter, albeit in support of the amendment.

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.

This counter-affidavit has been challenged by various parties through rejoinders, which assert that the right of the Muslim community would be thwarted if the Amendment Act is allowed to stand in its entirety.

In an interesting recent development, a Kerala-based Hindu organisation, named the Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust, has also joined in opposing the amendment, arguing that it threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan is hearing the matter.

At the last hearing on April 17, the Central government assured the Bench that it would not enforce several key provisions of the Act for the time being. The Court had recorded this assurance, and decided not to order any express stay.

Live updates from the hearing today feature on this page.