Supreme Court Likely To Hear Pleas Against Waqf Act On April 15; Centre Files Caveat

The Centre on Tuesday took preemptive legal action by submitting a caveat in the Supreme Court regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This move came as a response to the anticipation of legal challenges against the Act's constitutional validity. A caveat in legal terms is a formal request made to a court, ensuring the court does not issue any ruling without first hearing the party that filed the caveat.

Following the enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received presidential assent on April 5, more than ten petitions were lodged with the Supreme Court. These challenges, brought forth by politicians, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, contest the law's constitutionality. This flurry of legal activity underscores the contentious nature of the amendments and their wide-reaching implications.

The Supreme Court is expected to address these petitions in a hearing tentatively scheduled for April 15, as indicated by sources close to the matter. Although this date has not yet been officially confirmed on the court's website, the legal community is closely monitoring developments. This potential hearing represents a critical juncture for the newly amended legislation and its challengers.

Highlighting the significance of the petitions, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on April 7, promised senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that the court would consider scheduling the petitions for a hearing. This assurance was given a day before the government filed its caveat, signaling the high stakes involved and the Supreme Court's intent to carefully scrutinize the legal challenges presented.

The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill through both houses of Parliament, culminating in President Droupadi Murmu's approval, was not without controversy. The debates were heated, reflecting the polarizing views on the amendments and their potential impact on the management and regulation of Waqf properties.