Supreme Court to Hear Pleas Challenging Constitutional Validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions on Wednesday challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A three- judge bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan will consider at least 10 listed petitions, including those filed by Communist Party of India, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha, and several religious organisation like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema. Additional petitions have been filed by leaders including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Samajwadi Party’s Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, YSRCP, CPI, and actor-politician Vijay. A separate plea by advocate Hari Shankar Jain contends that the amended Act violates fundamental rights of non-Muslims.

The Centre, which notified the law on April 5 after it was passed in Parliament amid heated debates, filed a caveat to ensure no orders are passed without its hearing. The Act was passed with 288 votes in favour in the Lok Sabha and 128 in the Rajya Sabha. Petitioners argue that the amendments are arbitrary, discriminatory, and infringe upon religious freedoms protected under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, and 300A of the Constitution. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and others allege that the law attempts to bring Waqf administration under government control, violating minority rights. The case is shaping up as a significant legal battle over religious autonomy and constitutional protections.