SC to hear petitions challenging Waqf Amendment Act on April 16
A bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna is set to hear a set of nine petitions listed for hearing
The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions challenging the recently-passed Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 16.
According to Live Law, nine petitions have been filed against the legislation. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Viswanathan will hear the petitions.
Also read: Waqf (Amendment) Act comes into force
Who are the petitioners?
The petitions have been filed by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Delhi AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, Association of Protection of Civil Rights, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Arshad Madani, Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, Anjum Kadari, Taiyyab Khan Salmani, Mohammad Shafi, Mohammad Fazlurrahim and RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha.
Amended legislation
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 3, and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of April 4 after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament.
Also read: Strong stance against Waqf law signals marked shift from AAP's known praxis
The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.
It also seeks to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities, and protecting stakeholders' rights.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on Saturday.