Supreme Court to Deliver Verdict on Pleas Challenging Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Monday (September 15) pronounce its decision on petitions seeking a stay on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih had reserved its order on May 22 after hearing arguments on multiple challenges to the legislation.

At the heart of the case are provisions empowering authorities to denotify properties declared as waqf by courts, by long-standing usage (waqf-by-user), or through deed. The petitioners contend that these provisions undermine the autonomy of religious endowments and violate constitutional protections, while the government maintains that they are necessary to bring transparency and accountability to the management of waqf properties.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed during the Budget Session of Parliament earlier this year (January 31–April 4) after a marathon 12-hour debate in both Houses. The Lok Sabha cleared the legislation with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, while the Rajya Sabha passed it with 128 votes supporting and 95 opposing.

The Act amends the Waqf Act, 1995, with the stated objective of addressing loopholes in the regulation and oversight of waqf properties. The government has defended the changes as reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the functioning of waqf boards.

The Opposition, however, has strongly criticised the law, alleging that it seeks to weaken Muslim institutions and erode community rights over religious endowments.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday is expected to have far-reaching implications for both the governance of waqf properties and the political discourse surrounding the Act.