Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has reportedly assured senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, others that he will take decision on listing of petitions.
The Supreme Court of India on Monday mentioned that pleas challenging validity of Waqf law mentioned for urgent listing and hearing. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has reportedly assured senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, and others that he will take decision on listing of petitions.
The controversial Waqf bill was passed in Parliament last week and the country also saw a wave of protests against it as some called it 'unconstitutional'.
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after it was cleared in the Rajya Sabha after it received 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha following a 13-hour-long debate before reaching the upper house.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that the petitions needed to be listed for urgent hearing.
He said several other petitions have already been filed.
"I will see the mentioning letter in the afternoon and take a call. We will list it," the CJI said.
Several petitions, including one by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, have been filed in the apex court challenging the validity of the Act.
In its petition, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has said that this law was a "direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom".
"This bill is a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom. Therefore, we have challenged the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court, and the state units of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind will also challenge the constitutional validity of this law in the high courts of their respective states," the Jamiat stated.
Under this legislation, the waqf act will reform the governance of waqf properties, enhance transparency in its dealings and ensure greater representation from different Muslim sects.
Furthermore, this legislation also calls for the inclusion of non-Muslims and women in the governing bodies.