SC to hear interim relief pleas on Waqf Act amendments on May 20

The Supreme Court has scheduled May 20 to examine requests for temporary protection in the ongoing legal challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih is now handling the case after it was reassigned due to the retirement of former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

Also Read:Supreme Court puts certain provisions of new waqf law on hold

During Thursday’s brief hearing, the judges asked both the petitioners’ counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represents the central government, to provide their written submissions by Monday. The court made it clear that only the issue of interim relief will be addressed in the upcoming session.

Lawyers on both sides informed the bench that they would require more time to review the case materials thoroughly. Meanwhile, the Solicitor General reiterated the Centre’s earlier assurance: no waqf properties, whether formally registered or recognized through long-standing community use will be removed from waqf status under the new law. He also confirmed that appointments to central and state-level waqf bodies would remain on hold for now.

Importantly, the bench noted that any requests to halt parts of the older Waqf Act of 1995 will not be entertained during the upcoming hearing.

Previously, the Ministry of Minority Affairs submitted a 1,300-page preliminary affidavit defending the new law, arguing that Parliament-enacted legislation is presumed constitutional unless proven otherwise. The government also criticized what it described as a deliberate misinformation campaign around the amendments.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 received the President’s approval on April 5 and has since been enacted.